How thankful we should be that Christ came in poverty! No one can say, He knows nothing about the trials and hardships of poverty. Altho He knew that He was the Majesty of heaven and the Redeemer of the lost race, He worked for many years at the carpenter’s trade. From childhood he did his part toward sustaining a family living in poverty. And in His daily work He taught lessons in regard to the perfecting of character. In every detail of the work connected with the construction of buildings–in every stroke He made, in every piece He prepared and joined to other pieces–He showed the care and exactness with which character should be built. It is He who inspired Paul to declare, “Ye are God’s building.”
The companions of Jesus often said to Him, Why need you be so particular? It is unnecessary to work in that way. You could just as well work with less exactitude, and save time. Instead of arguing with them, Jesus answered their criticisms by beginning to chant one of the Psalms in which David taught that faithfulness and integrity must mark the character. The spirit of the song affected the hearts of those who were with Jesus, and almost before they realized what they were doing, they caught the strain and joined with [Him] in singing. And when a quarrel arose, instead of stopping to argue or to justify His course, Jesus began to sing. Soon His companions would forget their differences of opinion and their angry words. Those who, a few moments before, had felt provoked with Him or with one another, now joined in singing the hymn of praise.
By pursuing the same course we may hide in Christ. Then we shall be partakers of the divine nature.
– The Signs of the Times, June 10, 1903; par. 10 – 12