A. B. was for several years in the army, and during the latter portion of his time was converted to God. When he had finished his period of service, he preferred to claim his discharge, as he felt that his position was a hindrance to his glorifying God. Being a husband and a father, it was incumbent upon him to obtain some employment in order that he might maintain his wife and family; but, having no trade, he did not know to what to turn his hand. He, however, put his trust in the Lord, and in due time he was taken into a house of business as a messenger and for general useful purposes; and thus his temporal wants were supplied, and he was happy in the assurance that he was giving satisfaction to his employers.
One morning, however, the head of the firm required him to tell a gentleman, who he expected would call to see him, that he was not at home. This direction greatly troubled A. B. He did not like to disobey his master, and, as a consequence, perhaps lose his situation, and he felt uneasy in his conscience at the thought of telling a falsehood; and in this conflict he passed two or three most unhappy hours. But he found grace to lift his heart to the Lord, and to put confidence in Him. So, a short time before the gentleman was expected, A. B. went to his master, and informed him, respectfully, but plainly, that he could not say that his master was out when he knew that he was at home. He then quitted the room, leaving the result of the course which he had taken to the Lord. The master made no direct comment to him upon the matter, either at the time or subsequently, so that things went on for some weeks much as they had before, except that when a trustworthy person was required to do anything, or to be sent anywhere, A. B. was oftener chosen than before, the master occasionally remarking that he selected him because he had confidence in him.
A few months after the occurrence of this incident, he called A. B. before him, and said that he had been asked to find some steady man to fill a certain post where his attendance would only be occasionally required, and that, as he did not know a more suitable person, he had recommended him; adding that he could attend to the business in question as well as that in which he was already engaged during the usual hours. Of course A. B. expressed his grateful thanks to the gentleman. But how was his heart lifted up to the Lord in thankfulness for His mercy in thus abundantly recompensing the little act of uprightness, of not telling a falsehood or gain, or to please his earthly master!
This little incident surely tells its own tale without multiplying words. I do not therefore think it needful to make any comment upon it. I would only direct attention to the following Scriptures, as, among many others, bearing upon the subject of faithfulness to the Lord.
“Servants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh; not with eye-service, as men pleasers; but in singleness of heart, fearing God: and whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ. But he that doeth wrong shall receive for the wrong which he hath done: and there is no respect of persons.” Colossians 3:22-2522Servants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh; not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but in singleness of heart, fearing God: 23And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; 24Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ. 25But he that doeth wrong shall receive for the wrong which he hath done: and there is no respect of persons. (Colossians 3:22‑25).
ML 04/19/1903