April 7

Go, work to-day in my vineyard.—Matthew 21:28.

HAVE I entered the vineyard of the Lord? And am I a faithful laborer in it? In all sincerity can I say that I do what I can—that I endeavor to fill my sphere of duty? What are my motives in labor? Am I working for the glory of God, or for my personal advancement, and to win the praise of men? Do I depend on anything that I can do as giving me a title to God's favor? Or is my diligence in labor the fruit of my love to him?

Idleness is the mother of many sinful children. They that do nothing are in the ready way to do worse than nothing.—The devil, says the proverb, tempts all men; but the idle man tempts the devil to tempt him.

Work for God, is treasure laid up in heaven.

If there be happiness on earth, it is in laboring in the cause of Christ. The vineyard is to be cultivated; the command is that we enter it and work; and our reward will be proportionate to our diligence.

Teach me to live! No idler let me be,

But in thy service heart and hand employ;

Ever to do thy bidding cheerfully,

Be this my highest and my holiest joy.

A faithful steward may I here be found,

And so at last with endless glory crowned!