Work Until the Workday Is Done: A Lesson from Whitefield and Tennent

A summary and application of a story told by Iain Murray in his fine book, The Puritan Hope:

George Whitefield was once among a group of pastors and they were discussing the burdens of ministry, how consoling it was to consider that this life would soon be over, and how glorious it would be when they could enter into their heavenly rest. One man, the oldest man at the table, William Tennent, remained silent amongst them. Whitefield finally turned to Tennent and asked, “Well! Brother Tennent, you are the oldest man amongst us, do you not rejoice to think that your time is so near at hand when you will be called home and freed from all the difficulties attending this chequered scene?”

Tennent replied, “I have no wish about it.” Whitefield pressed him. Tennent responded, “No sir, it is no pleasure to me at all, and if you knew your duty it would be none to you. I have nothing to do with death; my business is to live as long as I can—as well as I can—and to serve my Lord and Master as faithfully as I can until he should think proper to call me home.” Tennent’s rebuke was well received by the other men.

Tennent captured the posture we should have to the trials and tasks assigned to us in the life, especially as we get older and those burdens seem harder to carry. There is a kind of other-worldliness or heavenly-mindedness that draws us away from our duties. Our focus should not be on the whistle that will blow at the end of the workday, but on getting the job done while the day lasts. A worker who contemplates getting off work more than doing the work he has been given is not a good worker. A worker who complains about his working conditions rather than getting the job done is not a good worker. The length of our workday is the master’s business; our job is to do the work he has assigned us with diligence and excellence until he calls us home. We have business to do for our master; he has given us responsibilities to fulfill; he has given us resources to manage, develop, and increase. If we want to be found faithful, we be focused on doing our duty. “Die with your boots on,” as the saying goes. Or, “It’s better to burn out than fade away.”

Our preoccupation should not to be the glories of the future but the duties of the present. Yes, we should give thought to the heavenly bliss to come, but only in a way that inspires present action, and never in way that distracts us from the task at hand. Do your assigned work until the Lord dismisses you from hard service with “Well done, good and faithful servant.”

“Blessed is that servant whom his master will find so doing when he comes.” (Matthew 24:46)

“Occupy till I come.” (Luke 19:13)