Should we not all have the Master's spirit, expressed by His words? The Lord's true saints have no business of their own, for they gave their all to the Lord at consecration. Their business they manage as trustees for the Lord—not to be turned over at their death, in prosperous condition, to their children or their friends, possibly to their injury. It is to be used by the trustee as wisely as he knows how before death; for then his trusteeship ends, and he must render his account.
To the perfect boy Jesus, it was natural to be engaged in matters pertaining to the Lord. Hence it seemed strange to Him that Joseph and Mary failed to see the propriety of His conduct. Here is a lesson for both young and old—the propriety of engaging in matters pertaining to God. Blessed are they who take to this spontaneously; nor need they be surprised if others, even those nearest and dearest to them, fail to understand their conduct and consider them as acting unjustly, or at least thoughtlessly toward them. Let them content themselves with the reflections that some day others will understand, and that in the meantime they will be satisfied with the Master's praise, if others blame.
Psa. 40:7-9; Heb. 10:7, 9; John 2:16, 17; 4:31-34; 7:14, 15, 46; 9:4; Matt. 7:28, 29; 10:37; Isa. 50:4; Luke 4:22, 32; Josh. 1:8; Isa. 8:20; Jer. 8:9; Luke 24:27; Acts 17:11; Psa. 1:1-3; 1 Pet. 1:10, 11.
