Chapter 1—The Spirit of Sacrifice God's Service Supreme

[The Ministry of Healing, 479-481.]

When Christ called His disciples to follow Him. He offered them no flattering prospects in this life. He gave them no promise of gain or worldly honor, nor did they make any stipulation as to what they should receive. To Matthew as he sat at the receipt of custom, the Saviour said, “Follow Me.” “And he left all, rose up, and followed Him.” Matthew did not, before rendering service, wait to demand a certain salary, equal to the amount received in his former occupation. Without question or hesitation he followed Jesus. It was enough for him that he was to be with the Saviour, that he might hear His words and unite with Him in His work.SpTB19 3.1

So it was with the disciples previously called. When Jesus bade Peter and his companions follow Him, immediately they left their boats and nets. Some of these disciples had friends dependent on them for support; but when they received the Saviour's invitation, they did not hesitate, and inquire, “How shall I live, and sustain my family?” They were obedient to the call; and when afterward Jesus asked them. “When I sent you without purse, and scrip, and shoes, lacked ye anything?” they could answer, ‘Nothing.”SpTB19 3.2

Today the Saviour calls us, as He called Matthew and John and Peter to His work. If our hearts are touched by His love, the question of compensation will not be uppermost in our minds. We shall rejoice to be co-workers with Christ, and we shall not fear to trust His care. If we make God our strength, we shall have clear conceptions of duty, unselfish aspirations; our life will be actuated by a noble purpose, which will raise us above sordid motives.SpTB19 3.3

Many who profess to be Christ's followers have an anxious, troubled heart, because they are afraid to trust themselves with God. They do not make a complete surrender to Him; for they shrink from the consequences that such a surrender may involve. Unless they do make this surrender, they can not find peace.SpTB19 4.1

There are many whose hearts are aching under a load of care because they seek to reach the world's standard.... Worry is blind, and can not discern the future; but Jesus sees the end from the beginning. In every difficulty He has His way prepared to bring relief. “No good thing will He withhold from them that walk uprightly.”SpTB19 4.2

Our heavenly Father has a thousand ways to provide for us of which we know nothing. Those who accept the one principle of making the service of God supreme, will find perplexities vanish, and a plain path before their feet.SpTB19 4.3