The Golden Saying of Epictetus, I

This is the beginning of a series that I call The Lone Virtuous Pagan. I am speaking of course of The roman stoic philosopher Epictetus. Epictetus was a very remarkable man since though He was a slave, He still rose to great power in his time as a slave. He obtained this power just by following the simple rules of stoicism.

Although, He was a pagan, His philosophy was covering basics that some Christians have not yet understood. To give him more validity, I will be giving you His golden sayings and some bible verses that relate to of which He speaks. So, I begin with The Golden Saying of Epictetus, I.

"Are these the only works of Providence within us? What words suffice to praise or set them forth? Had we but understanding, should we ever cease hymning and blessing the Divine Power, both openly and in secret, and telling of His gracious gifts? Whether digging or ploughing or eating, should we not sing the hymn to God:—

Great is God, for that He hath given us such instruments to till the ground withal: Great is God, for that He hath given us hands and the power of swallowing and digesting; of unconsciously growing and breathing while we sleep!

Thus should we ever have sung; yea and this, the grandest and divinest hymn of all:—

Great is God, for that He hath given us a mind to apprehend these things, and duly to use them!

What then! seeing that most of you are blinded, should there not be some one to fill this place, and sing the hymn to God on behalf of all men? What else can I that am old and lame do but sing to God? Were I a nightingale, I should do after the manner of a nightingale. Were I a swan, I should do after the manner of a swan. But now, since I am a reasonable being, I must sing to God: that is my work: I do it, nor will I desert this my post, as long as it is granted me to hold it; and upon you too I call to join in this self-same hymn"

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teach and admonish one another in all wisdom, and sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs with thankfulness in your hearts to God.
Col. 3:16

33 O the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways! 34 "For who has known the mind of the Lord,
or who has been his counselor?" 35 "Or who has given a gift to him
that he might be repaid?" 36 For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory for ever. Amen.
Rom. 11:33-36

Are we reasonable beings? Has God given us this earth to live on and prosper so that we can ignore him? As long as we live on earth it is our work that we praise him in all we do, for all we do is a gift of God. There is not much more to say, but you should ask yourself if you have been ignoring God and reaping his benefits, or are you waking up every day and praising him whatever your circumstance.