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###### Trade in Christ’s Best Interests, Not Yours

{Since the Heavenly Trade Is the Best Trade…

Exhortation to Those Who Began the Heavenly Trade But Have Backslidden

Advice: Set Up No More for Yourselves, But Become Factors for Christ

Trade in Christ’s Best Interests, Not Yours}

Conduct your trading in the best interests of Christ, not your own. “For not one of us lives for himself, and not one dies for himself” (Romans 14:7 NASB). What Laban falsely said to Jacob concerning his children and goods, God can justly say: “Then Laban replied to Jacob, ‘The daughters are my daughters, and the children are my children, and the flocks are my flocks, and all that you see is mine. But what can I do this day to these my daughters or to their children whom they have borne?’” (Genesis 31:43 NASB). “For every beast of the forest is Mine, The cattle on a thousand hills” (Psalm 50:10 NASB). “Therefore, I will take back My grain at harvest time And My new wine in its season. I will also take away My wool and My flax Given to cover her nakedness” (Hosea 2:9 NASB). Both the principal and returns are His (Matthew 25:27).1344 He has the right to require you to make use of your graces and duties and the right to their fruit, along with all that you enjoy and do. Put Christ’s property tag on all your goods. Whatever you gain by His talents, put on His account, and let your disbursements be expended for His use. Do not seek your own things, such as your credit, peace, comfort, and portion, except in subordination to Him. If the Lord by His Word calls for anything you enjoy, you must let it go. If by His providence, He takes away any comfort, do not murmur, but say, “It is the Lord’s; let Him do what He wishes with His own” (Matthew 20:15).1345

1344“Then you ought to have put my money in the bank, and on my arrival I would have received my money back with interest” (Matthew 25:27 NASB).

1345“Am I not allowed to do what I choose with what belongs to me? Or do you begrudge my generosity?” (Matthew 20:15 ESV).

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