Life Not to Be Trifled With

[Thompson, Darryl]

Life Not to Be Trifled With 

     So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God. Rom.
14:12.  

     All of us, as beings blessed of God with reasoning powers, with
intellect and judgment, should acknowledge our accountability to God.
The life He has given us is a sacred responsibility, and no moment of it
is to be trifled with, for we shall have to meet it again in the record
of the judgment. In the books of heaven our lives are as accurately
traced as in the picture on the plate of the photographer. Not only are
we held accountable for what we have done, but for what we have left
undone. We are held to account for our undeveloped characters, our
unimproved opportunities. . . .  

     It is love of selfish ease, love of pleasure, your self-esteem,
self-exaltation, that prevents you from learning the precious life
lessons in the school of Christ. It is the Christian's duty not to
permit surroundings and circumstances to mold him, but to live above
surroundings, fashioning his character according to the divine Model. He
is to be faithful in whatever place he is found. He is to do his duty
with fidelity, improving the opportunities given him of God, making the
most of his capabilities. . . .  

     If you are abiding in Christ, learning in His school, you will not
be rude, dishonest, or unfaithful. The cross of Christ cuts to the root
of all unholy passions and practices. Whatever the nature of your work,
you will carry the principles of Christ into your labor and identify
yourself with the task given into your hands. Your interest will be one
with that of your employer. If you are paid for your time, you will
realize that the time for work is not your own, but belongs to the one
who pays you for it. If you are careless and extravagant, wasting
material, squandering time, failing to be painstaking and diligent, you
are registered in the books of heaven as an unfaithful servant. . . .
Faithfulness, economy, caretaking, thoroughness, should characterize all
our work. . . . "He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful
also in much" (Luke 16:10).  

>From That I May Know Him - Page 93