Whatever may be the position or possessions of any individual who has a knowledge of the truth, the word of God teaches him that all he has is held by him in trust. It is lent him to test his character. His worldly business, his talents, his income, his opportunities, are all to be accounted for to Him to whom by creation and redemption he belongs. When he uses every precious talent in carrying forward God’s great work of education, when he strives to obtain the very best knowledge of how to be useful, how to labor for the salvation of souls ready to perish, God’s blessing will surely attend his efforts. God bestows His gifts upon us that we may minister to others, and thus become like Him. Those who receive His gifts that they may impart to others, become like Christ. It is in helping and uplifting others that we become ennobled and purified. This is the work that causes glory to flow back to God. We must become intelligent upon these points. Our souls must be purified from all selfishness; for God desires to use His people as representatives of the heavenly kingdom. {6T 190.3}

Hvilken stilling eller besiddelser den enkelte, som kender sandheden, end har, så lærer (191) Guds ord ham, at hvad han har, har han fået betroet. Det er lånt ham, for at prøve hans karakter. Han skal redegøre for alle hans verdslige forretninger, talenter, indtægt og anledninger, overfor ham, som han tilhører som skabning og genløsning. Når han bruger alle de dyrebare talenter til at fremføre Guds store undervisningsarbejde, når han tilstræber den allerbedste kendskab om at gøre sig nyttig og arbejde for de sjæles frelse, som er lige ved at gå tabt, vil Guds velsignelse visselig følge med i hans arbejde. Gud giver os sine gaver, så vi kan tjene andre og derved blive ligesom ham. Dem, som modtager hans gaver, så de kan videregive dem til andre, bliver ligesom Kristus. Det er ved at hjælpe og opløfte andre, at vi bliver forædlede og rensede. Det er det arbejde der får æren til at flyde tilbage til Gud. På disse punkter må vi blive kloge. Vore sjæle må renses fra al selviskhed; for Gud ønsker at bruge sit folk, som repræsentanter for det himmelske rige.