A LESSON OF FAITH

A Lesson of Faith

In his sermon on the mount, Yahushua taught his disciples precious lessons in regard to the necessity of trusting in Yahuwah. These lessons were designed to encourage the children of Yahuwah through all ages, and they have come down to our time full of instruction and comfort. The divine Teacher said to his followers: "Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment? Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your Heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they? Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature? And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin: and yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. Wherefore, if Yahuwah so clothe the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith? Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, what shall we drink? or, wherewithal shall we be clothed?" (Matthew 6:25-29).

The Saviour pointed his followers to the birds of the air, as they warbled their carols of praise, unencumbered with thoughts of care; for "they sow not, neither do they reap," and yet the great Father provides for their needs. He asks, "Are ye not much better than they?" Those who profess to be the children of Yahuwah dishonor their Heavenly Father when they manifest unbelief. The great Provider for man and beast opens his hand, and supplies all his creatures. The birds of the air are not beneath his notice. He does not drop the food into their bills, but he makes provision for their needs. They must exert themselves to gather the grains he has scattered for them. They must prepare the material for their little nests. They must feed their young. They go forth singing, to their labor; for "your Heavenly Father feedeth them." "Are ye not much better than they?" Are not ye, as intelligent, spiritual worshipers, of more value than the fowls of the air? Will not the Author of man's being, the Preserver of his life, the One who formed him in his own divine image, provide for his necessities, if he but trust in him?

Yahushua pointed his disciples to the flowers of the field, growing in rich profusion, and glowing in the simple loveliness which the Heavenly Father had given them, as an expression of his love to man. He exclaimed, "Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow." The beauty and simplicity of these natural flowers far outrivaled the splendor of Solomon. The most gorgeous attire produced by the skill of art, cannot bear comparison with the natural grace and radiant beauty of the flowers of Yahuwah's creation. And yet they are cut down in a day. Yahushua asked, "If Yahuwah so clothe the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is cast into the oven, shall be not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith."

If Yahuwah, the divine artist, gives to the simple flowers, that perish in a day, their delicate and varied colors, how much greater care will he have for those who are created in his own image? He gave his only begotten Son to come to earth and redeem man, because he loved him; "and he that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?" (Romans 8:32). Yahuwah is our Creator, and we are the work of his hands. He formed man out of the dust of the ground, and he sustains him from moment to moment, and from hour to hour. "In him we live, and move, and have our being." (Acts 17:28).

While men should see that no bounty of providence is needlessly wasted, a parsimonious, acquisitive spirit will have to be overcome. This disposition will lead to overreaching and unjust dealing, which is an abhorrence in the sight of Yahuwah. Followers of Yahushua should not allow themselves to be troubled with anxious care as to the necessities of life. If men love and obey Yahuwah, and do their part, Yahuwah will provide for all their wants. Although your living may have to be obtained by the sweat of your brow, you are not to distrust Yahuwah; for in the great plan of his providence, he will supply your need from day to day. This lesson of Yahushua's is a rebuke to the anxious thoughts, the perplexities and doubts, of the faithless heart. No man can add one cubit to his stature, no matter how solicitous he may be to do so. It is no less unreasonable to be troubled about the morrow and its needs. Do your duty, and trust in Yahuwah; for he knows of what things you have need.

The power of Yahuwah is manifested in the beating of the heart, in the action of the lungs, and in the living currents that circulate through the thousand different channels of the body. We are indebted to him for every moment of existence, and for all the comforts of life. The powers and abilities that elevate man above the lower creation, are the endowment of the Creator. He loads us with his benefits. We are indebted to him for the food we eat, the water we drink, the clothes, we wear, the air we breathe. Without his special providence, the air would be filled with pestilence and poison. He is a bountiful benefactor and preserver. The sun which shines upon the earth, and glorifies all nature, the weird, solemn radiance of the moon, the glories of the firmament, spangled with brilliant stars, the showers that refresh the land, and cause vegetation to flourish, the precious things of nature in all their varied richness, the lofty trees, the shrubs and plants, the waving grain, the blue sky, the green earth, the changes of day and night, the renewing seasons, all speak to man of his Creator's love. He has linked us to himself by all these tokens in heaven and in earth. He watches over us with more tenderness than does a mother over an afflicted child. "Like as a father pitieth his children, so the Master pitieth them that fear him." (Psalms 103:13).

We are bound to the Master by the strongest ties, and the manifestation of our Father's love should call forth the most filial affection and the most ardent gratitude. The laws of Yahuwah have their foundation in the most immutable rectitude, and are so framed that they will promote the happiness of those who keep them. Yahuwah is our master; we are his servants, and all his commandments are mercy and truth. Yahuwah is a friend in perplexity and affliction, a protector in distress, a preserver in the thousand dangers that are all unseen to us. He is our instructor, and in him is the source of all wisdom. He has declared, "If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of Yahuwah, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him." (James 1:5). He is our Yahuwah, and he spared not his own Son, that we might be redeemed from all iniquity.

In the lesson of faith that Yahushua taught on the mount, are revealed the principles of true religion. Religion brings man into personal relation with Yahuwah, but not exclusively; for the principles of heaven are to be lived out, that they may help and bless humanity. A true child of Yahuwah will love him with all his heart, and his neighbor as himself. He will have an interest for his fellow-men. True religion is the work of grace upon the heart, that causes the life to flow out in good works, like a fountain fed from living streams. Religion does not consist merely in meditation and prayer. The follower of Yahushua's light is displayed in good works, and is thus recognized by others. Religion is not to be divorced from the business life. It is to pervade and sanctify its engagements and enterprises. If a man is truly connected with Yahuwah and heaven, the spirit that dwells in heaven will influence all his words and actions. He will glorify Yahuwah in his works, and will lead others to honor him.

While the shepherds were watching their flocks on the hills of Bethlehem, the angels of heaven visited them; and while the humble worker for Yahuwah is pursuing his employment, they stand by his side to note in what manner the work is done, and to see if larger responsibilities may be safely intrusted to his hands. If the work is slighted, the fact is recorded. Every act of overreaching, every wrong done to our neighbor, every imperfection, is registered against them in the books of heaven.

As we deal with our fellow-men in petty dishonesty, or in more daring fraud, so will we deal with Yahuwah. Men who persist in a course of dishonesty will carry out their principles until they cheat their own souls, and lose heaven and eternal life. They will sacrifice honor and religion for a small worldly advantage. There are such men right in our own ranks, and they will have to experience what it is to be born again, or they cannot see the kingdom of Yahuwah. Honesty should stamp every action of our lives. Heavenly angels examine the work that is put into our hands; and where there has been a departure from the principles of truth, "wanting" is written in the records.

Says Yahushua, "Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal." (Matthew 6:19). Treasures are those things which engross the mind, and absorb the attention, to the exclusion of Yahuwah and the truth. The love of money, which prompts the acquisition of earthly treasure, was the ruling passion in the Jewish age. High and eternal considerations were made subordinate to the considerations of securing earthly wealth and influence. Worldliness usurped the place of Yahuwah and religion in the soul. Avaricious greed for wealth exerted such a fascinating, bewitching influence over the life, that it resulted in perverting the nobility, and corrupting the humanity of men, until they were drowned in perdition. Our Saviour gave a decided warning against hoarding up the treasures of earth.

All branches of business, all manner of employments, are under the eye of Yahuwah; and every follower of Yahushua has been given ability to do something in the cause of the Master. Whether engaged in business in the field, in the warehouse, or in the counting-room, men will be held responsible to Yahuwah for the wise and honest employment of their talents. They are just as accountable to Yahuwah for their work, as the minister who labors in word and doctrine is for his. If men acquire property in a manner that is not approved by the word of Yahuwah, they obtain it at a sacrifice of the principles of honesty. An inordinate desire for gain will lead even the professed followers of Yahushua into imitation of the customs of the world. They will be influenced to dishonor their religion, by overreaching in trade, oppressing the widow and the orphan, and turning away the stranger from his right.

Property that is treasured up upon the earth will prove only a curse, but if it is devoted to the upbuilding of the cause of truth, that Yahuwah may be honored, and that souls may be saved, it will not prove a curse, but a blessing. Means are necessary to the furtherance of every good cause; and as some men have been endowed with more ability to acquire wealth than have others, they should put out their talents to the exchangers, that the Master may receive his own, with usury, at his appearing. But no man can be justified before Yahuwah in doing one act that is covetous and dishonest, in order to gain any amount of wealth. There is, however, a large class who do not deal dishonestly, and who still profess to be followers of the dear Redeemer. They claim to be representatives of Yahushua, but, in character, they represent the worst and greatest enemy of our Master.

By:Ellen White
Review and Herald
March 20, 1888