“He did it with all his heart. So he prospered” (2 Chronicles 31:21)

The normal way of the world is if someone works hard, he’ll accomplish more than someone who’s lazy. “Go to the ant, you sluggard! Consider her ways and be wise ... How long will you slumber, O sluggard? When will you rise from your sleep? A little sleep, a little slumber, A little folding of the hands to sleep - So shall your poverty come on you like a prowler, And your need like an armed man” (Proverbs 6:6-11). 

 It’s the same in religion as in other things. If you want to be useful to Christ, work for Him with all your heart. Put as much force, energy, heartiness, and earnestness into religion as you do in business, because it deserves much more. The Holy Spirit helps our infirmities, but He doesn’t encourage our idleness; He synergistically enables saints who willingly put their hands to the plow. Who are the most useful to the Kingdom of God? The most talented? No; the ones whose hearts are on fire, who willingly cooperate with the Holy Spirit. 

 The “what would Jesus do” movement was an application of 1 Peter 2:21. Christ left us an example, so we could follow, In His Steps. Remember the earnestness of Jesus! “Now in the morning, having risen a long while before daylight, He went out and departed to a solitary place; and there He prayed” (Mark 1:35). Christ asks us to imitate Him in His purpose and works. “If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet. For I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done to you. Most assuredly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master; nor is he who is sent greater than he who sent him. If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them” (John 13:14-17).