Using the Lord's Material Gifts Well

As our Understandings are opened by the pure Light, we experience that, through an inward approaching to God, the Mind is strengthened in Obedience; and that by gratifying those Desires which are not of his begetting, those Approaches to him are obstructed, and the deceivable Spirit gains Strength.

As the pure Light opens our understanding, we find that drawing inwardly closer to God strengthens our minds in obedience. But giving in to desires that do not come from him hinders us from drawing closer to him. It also gives the deceiving spirit more power.

These Truths, being as it were engraven upon our Hearts, and our everlasting Interest in Christ evidently concerned herein, we become fervently engaged, that nothing may be nourished which tends to feed Pride or Self-love in us. Thus in pure Obedience, we are not only instructed in our Duty to God, but also in the Affairs which necessarily relate to this Life, and the Spirit of Truth which guides into all Truth, leavens the Mind with a pious Concern, that whatsoever we do in Word or Deed, may be done in his Name, Col. iii. 17.

These truths are, as it were, engraved on our hearts, and our eternal interest in Christ is clearly at stake in them. So we become deeply committed to nurturing nothing that would feed pride or self-love in us. Through pure obedience, we learn not only our duty to God but also how to handle the necessary affairs of this life. The Spirit of Truth, which guides us into all truth, fills our minds with a devout concern that whatever we do in word or deed may be done in his name, Col. iii. 17.

Hence such Buildings, Furniture, Food, and Raiment, as best answer our Necessities, and are the least likely to feed that selfish Spirit which is our Enemy, are the most acceptable to us.

So we most value buildings, furniture, food, and clothing that best meet our needs. We value those least likely to feed the selfish spirit that is our enemy.

In this State the Mind is tender, and inwardly watchful, that the Love of Gain draw us not into any Business, which may weaken our Love to our Heavenly Father, or bring unnecessary Trouble to any of his Creatures.

In this state, the mind is tender and inwardly watchful. It guards against letting the love of gain draw us into any business that may weaken our love for our heavenly Father or bring unnecessary trouble to any of his creatures.

Thus the Way gradually opens to cease from that Spirit which craves Riches and Things fetched far, which so mixeth with the Customs of this World, and so intrudes upon the true Harmony of Life, that the right Medium of Labour is very much departed from. And as the Minds of People are settled in a steady Concern, not to hold nor possess any Thing but what may be held consistent with the Wisdom from above, they consider what they possess as the Gift of God, and are inwardly exercised, that in all Parts of their Conduct they may act agreeable to the Nature of the peaceable Government of Christ.

In this way, a path gradually opens to leave behind the desire for riches and things brought from far away. This desire is so mixed up with the customs of this world and so disrupts life's true harmony that we have strayed far from the right balance of work. As people become steadfastly concerned to possess only what is consistent with wisdom from above, they see their possessions as gifts from God. They are deeply concerned to act in every part of their lives in keeping with the peaceful rule of Christ.

A little supports such a Life; and in a State truly resigned to the Lord, the Eye is single, to see what outward Employ he leads into, as a Means of our Subsistence, and a lively Care is maintained to hold to that without launching further.

Little is needed to support such a life. When we are truly surrendered to the Lord, we focus on the work he leads us to do for our living. We remain carefully attentive to that work without taking on more.

There is a Harmony in the several Parts of this Divine Work in the Hearts of People; he who leads them to cease from those gainful Employments, carried on in that Wisdom which is from beneath, delivers also from the Desire after worldly Greatness, and reconciles the Mind to a Life so plain, that a little doth suffice.

The different parts of this divine work in people's hearts are in harmony. God leads people to stop pursuing profitable work guided by wisdom from below. He also frees them from the desire for worldly greatness. He helps them accept a life so simple that little is enough.

Here the real Comforts of Life are not lessened. Moderate Exercise, in the Way of true Wisdom, is pleasant both to Mind and Body.

Here, the true comforts of life are not diminished. Moderate exercise, guided by true wisdom, is pleasant for both mind and body.

Food and Raiment sufficient, though in the greatest Simplicity, is accepted with Content and Gratitude.

Enough food and clothing, though very simple, are accepted with contentment and gratitude.

The mutual Love, subsisting between the faithful Followers of Christ, is more pure than that Friendship which is not seasoned with Humility, how specious soever the Appearance.

The love that faithful followers of Christ share is purer than friendship without humility, however appealing that friendship may appear.

Where People depart from pure Wisdom in one Case, it is often an Introduction to depart from it in many more; and thus a Spirit which seeks for outward Greatness, and leads into worldly Wisdom to attain it, and support it, gets Possession of the Mind.

When people depart from pure wisdom in one case, they often begin to depart from it in many more. In this way, a spirit that seeks outward greatness takes hold of the mind. It leads people to rely on worldly wisdom to achieve and maintain that greatness.

In beholding the customary Departure from the true Medium of Labour, and that unnecessary Toil which many go through, in supporting outward Greatness, and procuring Delicacies.

Seeing how people commonly stray from a proper balance of work, and how many toil unnecessarily to maintain outward grandeur and obtain luxuries.

In beholding how the true Calmness of Life is changed into Hurry, and that many, by eagerly pursuing outward Treasure, are in great Danger of withering as to the inward State of the Mind.

Seeing how life’s true calm gives way to hurry, and how many eagerly pursue outward wealth. In doing so, they put their inner lives in great danger of withering.

In meditating on the Works of this Spirit, and on the Desolations it makes amongst the Professors of Christianity, I may thankfully acknowledge, that I often feel pure Love beget Longings in my Heart, for the Exaltation of the peaceable Kingdom of Christ, and an Engagement to labour according to the Gift bestowed on me, for the promoting an humble, plain, temperate Way of living. A Life where no unnecessary Care, nor Expences, may incumber our Minds, nor lessen our Ability to do Good; where no Desires after Riches, or Greatness, may lead into hard Dealing; where no Connections with worldly-minded Men, may abate our Love to God, nor weaken a true Zeal for Righteousness. A Life wherein we may diligently labour for Resignedness to do, and suffer, whatever our Heavenly Father may allot for us, in reconciling the World to himself.

As I reflect on the works of this Spirit and the destruction it causes among those who profess Christianity, I can thankfully acknowledge something. I often feel pure love awaken a longing in my heart for the peaceable kingdom of Christ to be exalted. I also feel called to work, according to the gift given me, to promote a humble, plain, and temperate way of life. In such a life, no unnecessary cares or expenses would burden our minds or lessen our ability to do good. No desire for wealth or greatness would lead us to deal harshly with others. No ties with worldly-minded people would lessen our love for God or weaken our true zeal for righteousness. In such a life, we could work diligently to accept whatever our Heavenly Father may ask us to do or suffer as he reconciles the world to himself.

When the Prophet Isaiah had uttered his Vision, and declared that a Time was coming wherein Swords should be beat into Plowshares, and Spears into pruning Hooks, and that Nation shall not lift up Sword against Nation, nor learn War any more; he immediately directs the Minds of People to the Divine Teacher, in this remarkable Language; O House of Jacob! come ye, and let us walk in the Light of the Lord, Isaiah ii. 5.

The prophet Isaiah described his vision of a time to come: Swords would be beaten into plowshares and spears into pruning hooks. Nation would not lift up sword against nation, nor learn war anymore. He then immediately directed people's minds to the Divine Teacher in these remarkable words: O house of Jacob! come, let us walk in the light of the Lord, Isaiah ii. 5.

To wait for the Direction of this Light, in all temporal as well as spiritual Concerns, appears necessary; for if in any Case we enter lightly into temporal Affairs, without feeling this Spirit of Truth to open our Way therein, and through the Love of this World proceed on, and seek for Gain by that Business or Traffick, which is not of the Father, but of the World, 1 John ii. 16 we fail in our Testimony to the Purity and Peace of his Government, and get into that which is for Chastisement.

It seems necessary to wait for the guidance of this Light in all worldly as well as spiritual matters. For if we enter worldly affairs carelessly, without feeling the Spirit of Truth open the way for us, we may continue out of love for this world. If we then seek gain through business or trade that is not of the Father, but of the World, 1 John ii. 16, we fail to bear witness to the purity and peace of his rule. We also enter into what calls for chastisement.

This Matter hath lain heavy on my Mind, it being evident, that a Life less humble, less simple and plain, than that which Christ leads his Sheep into, does necessarily require a Support, which pure Wisdom does not provide for; hence there is no Probability of our being a peculiar People, so zealous of good Works, as to have no Fellowship with Works of Darkness, Titus ii. 14. Ephes. v. 11. while we have Wants to supply which have their Foundation in Custom, and do not come within the Meaning of those Expressions, your Heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these Things, Mat. vi. 32.

This matter has weighed heavily on my mind. A life less humble and plain than the one Christ leads his sheep into requires support that pure wisdom does not provide. So we are unlikely to be a distinct people, so devoted to good works that we have no part in works of darkness, Titus ii. 14. Ephes. v. 11. This is true as long as we have wants rooted in custom, outside the meaning of the words, your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things, Mat. vi. 32.

These Things which he beholds necessary for his People, he fails not to give them in his own Way and Time; but as his Ways are above our Ways, and his Thoughts above our Thoughts, so imaginary Wants are different from these Things which he knoweth that we have need of.

He always gives his people what he sees they need, in his own way and time. But his ways are above our ways, and his thoughts are above our thoughts. So our imagined needs are different from the things he knows we need.

As my Meditations have been on these Things, Compassion hath filled my Heart toward my Fellow Creatures, involved in Customs, grown up in the Wisdom of this World, which is Foolishness with God, 1 Cor. iii. 19. And O that the Youth may be so thoroughly experienced in an humble Walking before the Lord, that they may be his Children, and know him to be their Refuge, their safe unfailing Refuge, through the various Dangers attending this uncertain State of Being!

As I have reflected on these things, my heart has filled with compassion for my fellow creatures. They are caught up in customs that have grown out of the wisdom of this world, which is foolishness with God, 1 Cor. iii. 19. Oh, may young people learn to walk humbly before the Lord. May they do so deeply enough to be his children and know him as their refuge. He is their safe, unfailing refuge through the many dangers of this uncertain life!

If those whose Minds are redeemed from the Love of Wealth, and who are content with a plain, simple Way of living, do yet find that to conduct the Affairs of a Family, without giving Countenance to unrighteous Proceedings, or having Fellowship with Works of Darkness, the most diligent Care is necessary.

If even those who are free from the love of wealth and content to live simply find that managing a household requires the utmost care to avoid supporting wrongdoing or taking part in works of darkness.

If Customs, distinguishable from universal Righteousness, and opposite to the true Self-denying Life, are now prevalent, and so mixed with Trade, and with almost every Employ, that it is only through humble waiting on the inward Guidance of Truth, that we may reasonably hope to walk safely, and support an uniform Testimony to the peaceable Government of Christ:

If customs exist that are distinct from universal righteousness and opposed to a truly self-denying life, and if these customs are now widespread and woven into trade and almost every occupation, then only by humbly waiting for the inward guidance of Truth can we reasonably hope to walk safely. Only then can we consistently bear witness to the peaceful rule of Christ.

If this be the Case, how lamentably do they expose themselves to Temptations, who give way to the Love of Riches, conform to expensive Living, and reach forth for Gain, to support Customs, which our Holy Shepherd leads not into.

If this is the case, how sadly people expose themselves to temptation when they give in to the love of riches. They adopt expensive lifestyles and seek gain to support customs that our Holy Shepherd does not lead us to follow.