Bible Dictionaries
Self: Watchfulness Over

Spurgeon's Illustration Collection


An old writer, speaking of men as stewards of God, urges upon them as wise traders and servants to look to themselves carefully, and take care of four houses which are under their charge. 1. Their warehouse, or heart and memory, wherein they should store up precious things, holy affections, grateful remembrances, celestial preparations, etc. Without a good stock in the warehouse there can be no good trade. 2. Their workhouse, or their actions, wherein they retail to others for God's glory the grace entrusted to them; teaching the ignorant, comforting the poor, visiting the sick, eta. We must be active, or we cannot be acceptable servants. 3. Their clock-house, meaning their speech, which must always, like a well-timed bell, speak the truth accurately; and meaning also their observance of time, redeeming it by promptly doing the duties of every hour. We must use time well, or our spiritual gains will be small. 4. Their counting-house, or their conscience, which is to be scrupulously watched, and no false reckonings allowed, lest we deceive our own souls. The Master will call for our accounts, let us keep them honestly.


Bibliography Information
Spurgeon, Charles. Entry for 'Self: Watchfulness Over'. Spurgeon's Illustration Collection. https://www.studylight.org/​dictionaries/​eng/​fff/​s/self-watchfulness-over.html. 1870.