Here is the ground upon which we should exercise compassion toward our fellow sinners. “If God so loved us, we ought also to love one another.” 1 John 4:11. “Freely ye have received,” Christ says, “freely give.” Matthew 10:8. —Christ’s Object Lessons, p. 245
Let the father seek to lighten the mother’s task. In the time that he would devote to selfish enjoyment of leisure, let him seek to become acquainted with his children—associate with them in their sports, in their work. Let him point them to the beautiful flowers, the lofty trees, in whose very leaves they can trace the work and love of God. He should teach them that the God who made all these things loves the beautiful and the good. Christ pointed his disciples to the lilies of the field and the birds of the air, showing how God cares for them, and presenting this as evidence that he will care for man, who is of higher consequence than birds or flowers. Tell the children that however much time may be wasted in attempts at display, our appearance can never compare, for grace and beauty, with that of the simplest flowers of the field. Thus their minds may be drawn from the
artificial to the natural. They may learn that God has given them all these beautiful things to enjoy, and that he wants them to give him the heart’s best and holiest affections. —Christian Education, pp. 172, 173
God wants us to demonstrate His love by showing a living interest in the youth under our care. Hold them up before the Lord, and ask Him to do for them what you cannot do. Let them see that you realize your need of divine help. —Counsels to Parents, Teachers, and Students, p. 214
Nothing can excuse the minister for neglecting the inner circle for the larger circle outside. The spiritual welfare of his family comes first. In the day of final reckoning, God will inquire what he did to win to Christ those whom he took the responsibility of bringing into the world. Great good done for others cannot cancel the debt that he owes to God to care for his own children. —Gospel Workers, p. 204
The life of Christ must be your pattern, to do good in every spot and place. In caring for others, God will care for you. The Majesty of heaven did not avoid weariness. He traveled on foot from place to place to benefit the suffering and needy. He was wearied with His journey and sat upon the well to rest. Although you may “possess all knowledge,” may understand the human system and trace disease to its cause, and even if you had the tongues of men and angels, there are yet qualifications necessary or all the former will be of no special account. [1 Corinthians 13:1, 2.] You must have power from God, which will only be realized by those who make God their trust and consecrate themselves with devotion to the work He has given them to do. Christ must be in your knowledge. His wisdom must be seen instead of yours. Then will you understand how to be a light in the rooms of the sick. —Letters and Manuscripts, vol. 2, letter 30, 1870, par. 22–23
