I answer, No, most decidedly not. What selection should we be able to make out of the numbers of our youth? How could we tell who would be the most promising, who would render the best service to God? In our judgment we might look upon the outward appearance, as Samuel did when he was sent to find the anointed of the Lord. When the noble sons of Jesse passed before him, and his eye rested upon the handsome countenance and fine stature of the eldest son, to Samuel it seemed that the anointed of the Lord was before him. But the Lord said to him, “Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart.” Not one of these noble-looking sons of Jesse would the Lord accept. But when David, the youngest son, a mere youth, was called from the field, and passed before Samuel, the Lord said, “Arise, anoint him: for this is he.” 1 Samuel 16:7, 12. {CT 43.3}

Mit svar er: Nej, overhovedet ikke. Hvordan skulle vi udvælge iblandt vore unge? Hvordan skulle vi kunne sige hvem er den mest lovende, hvem vi give Gud den bedste tjeneste? Når vi bedømmer ser vi kun på det ydre, ligesom Samuel gjorde da han blev sendt for at finde (44) Herrens salvede. Da Isajs fornemme Sønner kom frem for ham, og hans øjne hvilede på den ældste søns pæne ansigt og statur, var det for Samuel som om at Herrens salvede stod foran ham. Men Herren sagde til ham: »Se ikke på hans ydre eller høje vækst; thi jeg har vraget ham; Gud ser jo ikke, som mennesker ser, thi mennesker ser på det, som er for øjnene, men Herren ser på hjertet.« Herren ville ikke acceptere en af Isajs pænt udseende sønner. Men David den yngste søn, blot en yndling, blev kaldt fra marken, og gik frem for Samuel, sagde Herren til ham: »Stå op, salv ham, thi ham er det!« 1 Samuel 16,7. 12.