None of us can do without the blessing of God, but God can do His work without the aid of man if He so choose. But He has given to every man his work, and He trusts men with treasures of wealth or of intellect, as His stewards. Whatever we render to God is, through His mercy and generosity, placed to our account as faithful stewards. But we should ever realize that this is not a work of merit on man’s part. However great the ability of man, he possesses nothing which God did not give him, and which He cannot withdraw if these precious tokens of His favor are not appreciated and rightly applied. Angels of God, whose perceptions are unclouded by sin, recognize the endowments of heaven as bestowed with the intention that they be returned in such a way as to add to the glory of the great Giver. With the sovereignty of God is bound up the well-being of man. The glory of God is the joy and the blessing of all created beings. When we seek to promote His glory we are seeking for ourselves the highest good which it is possible for us to receive. Brethren and sisters in Christ, God calls for the consecration to His service of every faculty, of every gift, you have received from Him. He wants you to say, with David: “All things come of Thee, and of Thine own have we given Thee.” {5T 736.3}

Det er også selviskhed, der fremkalder følelsen hos arbejderne, så deres dømmekraft og arbejde bliver det bedste, eller at det er deres forret at binde andres samvittighed på en eller anden måde. Sådan var de jødiske ledere på Kristi dage. I deres selvophøjelse bragte præsterne og rabbinerne så strenge regler og så mange former og ceremonier ind, at folks tanker blev bortledt fra Gud og gav Gud ingen chance til at arbejde for dem. Således blev hans barmhjertighed og kærlighed mistet af syne. Mine brødre, følg ikke efter på samme sti. Lad folkenes tanker blive ledt mod Gud. Lad ham få en chance til at arbejde for dem, som elsker ham. Pålæg ikke folk regler og regulativer, som vil lade dem være blottet for Guds Ånd hvis de følges, ligesom Gilboas bakker var blottet for dug eller regn.