"We should always look upon ourselves as God's servants, placed in God's world, to do his work; and accordingly labour faithfully for him; not with a design to grow rich and great, but to glorify God, and do all the good we possibly can"

David Brainerd's exhortation presents a vision of life founded on humble service and devotion to a higher purpose. He asserts that individuals ought to consider themselves servants of God, indicating a call to humility and submission. By positioning ourselves as workers in God's world, Brainerd suggests that our primary identity and duty are defined not by personal ambition or self-serving goals, but by participating in a greater, divine narrative. The world itself is depicted as belonging to God, further emphasizing that human beings are stewards and not ultimate owners of their circumstances or achievements.

The central task assigned to every person, according to Brainerd, is the diligent labor for God. Laboring faithfully implies a sustained, honest effort regardless of recognition or reward, driven by commitment rather than compulsion. Here, work takes on sanctity; the mundane tasks of daily life become acts of worship and expressions of faith when performed with the intention to serve God.

Brainerd explicitly rejects ambitions for wealth and greatness as the driving motives for human action. Instead, he advocates for an orientation focused on glorifying God, aligning personal motivations with spiritual rather than material values. This shift of motivation fundamentally alters one's relationship with work, success, and fellow human beings. Instead of measuring achievements by accumulation or social status, the true measure becomes one’s capacity to reflect divine goodness and contribute positively to the lives of others. Performing all possible good is linked directly to glorifying God, implying that acts of kindness, generosity, and compassion are not merely ethical imperatives but spiritual duties.

At its heart, Brainerd's vision is both transformative and countercultural. It challenges individuals to reconsider priorities, to value service over self-promotion, and to find fulfillment in aligning with a larger, sacred purpose. Such a perspective holds profound implications for how one views success, significance, and the role of faith in everyday life.