Mike Riley

After completing many years as a journalist, Arthur Brisbane was offered six months of paid vacation time by William Randolph Hearst, the publisher of the San Francisco Examiner. Brisbane refused to accept the kind offer because of two reasons. He said, “If I quit writing my newspaper column for six months, it might affect the circulation of the newspaper. The second reason is that it might not affect the circulation of the newspaper.”

Mr. Brisbane’s answer was profound. In view of his answer, let’s ask ourselves, “If I dropped out of sight for six months and did absolutely nothing for the Lord, would I be missed?” Would the Lord’s work suffer or would there be no difference whatsoever? As members of the Lord’s church, we each have a responsibility in doing the Lord’s work and building up the body of Christ (Ephesians 4:11-16; cf. 1 Corinthians 14:26; 2 Corinthians 12:19; Ephesians 4:12). We cannot hire someone else to fulfill our responsibility to the Lord (Gal. 6:4-5; cf. Romans 2:6; 1 Corinthians 3:8). We are individually accountable to God for what we do with the time He has blessed us with. Let us hear the inspired writer, Paul, as he wrote to the Ephesian brethren, “See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil” (Ephesians 5:15-16).

Brethren, let us resolve from this day forward, that we will become more involved in the Lord’s work, “And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works” (Hebrews 10:24). God has so richly blessed us with time, talent, vision, and financial means. Let’s be willing to put these gifts to work for the Lord and His cause, “I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work” (John 9:4). 

The author of this article is a member at the Montana Street church of Christ in El Paso, TX.