“The servants of God should learn to measure their own strength; when they greedily take on too many jobs, they may well crack up.” John Calvin
Calvin‘s words are practical, witty and wise in Calvin: Commentaries. Take heed he says:
Each individual should rather confine himself to his own vocation and its prescribed limits. Unless such modesty prevails, everything is confused for God’s truth is rashly torn apart by the stupidity of many. (emphasis added)
Calvin then compares Joseph (Genesis 40:6-8) with Daniel. He points out that when Joseph interpreted Pharaoh’s dreams he did not go beyond that interpretation. But the case of Daniel was different.
Daniel was provided with the spirit of divination to such a degree that he was able to interpret the king’s dream when it had escaped the latter’s memory. Thus we see that Joseph, who was given only half (as much as Daniel), kept himself with its proper limits.
Moreover, Joseph not only guarded himself from all presumption, but also declared that what he had was the gift of God. He said honestly that of himself he possessed nothing. He did not boast that he was keen or clever, but wished only to be known as the minister of God.
Calvin finishes with these words of wisdom:
Our vanity must be controlled, not only that God alone may be glorified and may not be defrauded of his due, but that the prophets, professors, and others who excel in heavenly gifts may humbly submit themselves to the direction of the Spirit.
What I learned: Don’t take on too many jobs especially in areas where God has not gifted you. Confine yourself within your God-given limitations less you tear apart God’s truth with stupidity. Declare all contributions and talents as gifts of God – do not try to be keen or clever as we possess nothing in ourselves. Seek only to be known as servants of God. Lastly, our vanity must be controlled! May God alone be glorified and not defrauded of his due, so that those of us who are gifted in many heavenly gifts may humbly submit themselves to the direction of the Spirit.
From Calvin: Commentaries, (pp. P. 390-392) by John Calvin, Joseph Haroutunian, Louise Pettibone Smith, translated by Joseph Haroutunian
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