I visited a brother who worked fourteen to sixteen hours a day at his trade. His body ached, his soul was lean, and he had no joy in God. I pointed out to him that he should work less in order that his health might not suffer. He could gather strength for his inner man by reading the Word of God, by meditation and prayer.
He replied, “But if I work less, less I do not earn enough for the support my family. Even now, while I work so much, I have scarcely enough.”
He had no trust in God and no real belief in the truth of that word, “Seek ye first the kingdom of
God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you” (Matthew 6:33).
I explained to him, “My dear brother, it is not your work which supports your family, but the Lord. He has fed you and your family when you could not work at all because of illness. He would surely provide for you and yours, if, for the sake of obtaining food for your inner man, you worked fewer hours a day to give you proper time for rest. You begin to work after only a few hurried moments for prayer. You leave your work in the evening and intend to read a little of the Word of God, but by then you are too worn out in body and mind to enjoy it. You often fall asleep while reading the Scriptures or while on your knees in prayer.”
The brother admitted this was true. He agreed that my advice was good, but I read in his countenance, even if he did not say so, “How could I make ends meet if I were to carry out your advice?” I longed to have something to give the brother as visible proof that our God and Father is the same faithful God that He ever was. He is willing as ever to prove Himself the living God to all who put their trust in Him.
Sometimes children of God are fearful of growing old and being unable to work any longer. If I point out to them how their heavenly Father has always helped those who put their trust in Him, they might not say that the times have changed. But it is evident that they do not see God as the living God. I longed to set something before the children of God that they might see that he does not forsake, even in hard times, those who rely on Him.
Christian businessmen suffer in their spiritual lives and bring guilt on their consciences by carrying on their business in the same way that unconverted people do. The competition in trade, bad times, and overpopulation are given as reasons why a business carried on according to the Word of God could not be expected to prosper. Few people have the holy determination to trust in the living God and depend on Him in order that a good conscience might be maintained. I want to show these people that God can be trusted without reservation.
Some individuals are in professions which they cannot continue with a good conscience. But they fear leaving their profession lest they become unemployed. I long to strengthen their faith by proving the promises from the Word of God of His willingness and ability to help all those who rely on Him are true.
I know that the Word of God ought to be enough. But by giving my brothers proof of the unchangeable faithfulness of the Lord, I might strengthen their faith. I want to be a servant of the Church in the particular point on which I had obtained mercy—in being able to take God at His Word and rely on it.
Adapted by ConsiderYourWayz from the autobiography of George Muller
Published by Whitaker House
