Ellen Chat Conversation

Ellen White's writings offer specific guidance on preparing food and cooking on the Sabbath. She emphasizes the importance of preparation before the Sabbath begins. She stated that those who "neglect to prepare for the Sabbath on the sixth day, and who cook food upon the Sabbath, violate the fourth commandment, and are transgressors of God's law" (3SG 253.2). She also notes that God required the children of Israel to "bake that which they would bake, and seethe (that is, boil,) that which they would seethe, on the sixth day, preparatory to the rest of the Sabbath" (1SP 225.2). This indicates that Friday should be used as a preparation day for cooking. She further explains that "when the Lord said, “Tomorrow is the rest of the holy Sabbath; bake that which ye will bake today, and seethe that which ye will seethe,” He means that Friday shall be our preparation day, in which we are to do all our cooking" (13MR 294.1). However, Ellen White also makes an exception for those who are sick or suffering, stating that "the sick and suffering require care and attention upon the Sabbath, as well as upon the other six days of the week; and it may be necessary for their comfort to prepare warm food and drinks upon the Sabbath. In such instances, it is no violation of the fourth commandment to make them as comfortable as possible" (1SP 226.1). This shows God's compassion and understanding of human needs. In summary, while cooking on the Sabbath is generally discouraged, it is permissible to provide care for the sick and suffering. The main principle is to prepare in advance and keep the Sabbath as a day of rest and worship.

Ellen White's writings address the topic of cooking on the Sabbath, particularly in the context of institutions. She emphasizes the importance of Sabbath observance as a sign of being on the Lord's side. Ellen White highlights the importance of preparing food before the Sabbath. She states that God required the children of Israel to "bake that which they would bake, and seethe (that is, boil,) that which they would seethe on the sixth day, preparatory to the rest of the Sabbath" (1SP 225.2). She also notes that those who "neglect to prepare for the Sabbath on the sixth day, and who cook food upon the Sabbath, violate the fourth commandment, and are transgressors of God's law" (3SG 253.2). This suggests that cooking should be done before the Sabbath begins. However, she also acknowledges the need for welfare ministry and works of mercy on the Sabbath. According to the fourth commandment, "the Sabbath was dedicated to rest and religious worship... but works of mercy and benevolence were in accordance with the purpose of the Lord" (WM 77.1). This could imply that providing food for students could be seen as a work of necessity, depending on the circumstances. She also mentions that cooking may be planned to give workers more advantages and that their duties should be made as light as possible on the Sabbath (8MR 376.1). Ultimately, the decision of whether it is appropriate to cook for students in institutions on the Sabbath would depend on balancing the need for Sabbath rest and the principles of welfare ministry.

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No, it is not a sin to work caring for the sick on the Sabbath. Ellen White clearly taught that "the needs of suffering humanity are never to be neglected" (7T 106.2) and that "the Saviour, by His example, has shown us that it is right to relieve suffering on the Sabbath" (7T 106.2). She explained that "divine mercy has directed that the sick and suffering should be cared for; the labor required to make them comfortable is a work of necessity, and no violation of the Sabbath" (2TT 184.4). This principle applies to all acts of caring for those who are ill or suffering. She further emphasized that "acts of necessity and mercy are permitted on the Sabbath, the sick and suffering are at all times to be cared for" (PP 307.3). However, Ellen White did make an important distinction between necessary care and unnecessary work. She counseled that "unnecessary work, such as ordinary treatments and operations that can be postponed, should be deferred" (7T 106.2). She also noted that common, every day treatment should not be given on the Sabbathand that "ordinary treatment and operations which can wait should be deferred till the next day" (KC 43.4). For healthcare workers, she acknowledged the reality that "often physicians and nurses are called upon during the Sabbath to minister to the sick, and sometimes it is impossible for them to take time for rest and for attending devotional services" (7T 106.2). She encouraged patients to understand that medical workers need rest and "fear God and desire to keep holy the day that He has set apart for His followers to observe as a sign between Him and them" (7T 106.2). In summary, caring for the sick on Sabbath is not only permitted but is in harmony with God's character of mercy. The key is to focus on necessary care while avoiding routine procedures that can wait until after the Sabbath. --- 💡 **You might also want to explore:** • What other types of work did Ellen White consider acceptable on the Sabbath? • How should healthcare workers balance Sabbath rest with their duty to care for patients? • What did Ellen White say about preparing for the Sabbath to minimize unnecessary work? --- 📚 **thousands of passages found** containing these search terms — [Explore in Full-Text Search](/advanced-search?q=Is+sin+to+work+caring+for+the+sick+on+Sabbath%3F)

I understand you're asking about laypeople finishing the work of proclaiming God's message. Ellen White's writings emphasize that God's people have a sacred responsibility to proclaim the Sabbath truth and repair the breach in God's law. Ellen White taught that "God's people have a special work to do in repairing the breach that has been made in His law; and the nearer we approach the end, the more urgent this work becomes" (GCB October 1, 1902, Art. A, par. 11). She emphasized that this work involves lifting up the Sabbath truth, stating that "the Lord would have us lift up the Sabbath of the Lord our God. We have a sacred work to do in opening blind eyes in regard to the day that the Lord has set apart and sanctified as the rest day of mankind" (LLM 367.3). This work is not limited to ordained ministers but includes all believers. She wrote that "all who would have the seal of the living God, must be laborers together with God to make up the breach that has been made in the law of God by the man of sin, and to raise up the foundation of many generations" (13MR 23.2). This indicates that every believer who seeks God's seal has a role in this sacred work. Ellen White also emphasized that "all who love God will show that they bear His sign by keeping His commandments. They are the restorers of paths to dwell in" (GCB October 1, 1902, Art. A, par. 11). The work requires faithful, consistent effort, as she counseled that "spasmodic efforts will not avail to accomplish much good, or to make you successful laborers in the work of God. By patient continuance in welldoing, you are to become laborers together with God" (SSW March 1, 1892, par. 3). The urgency of this work increases as we near the end of time, and God calls His people to proclaim the truth about His Sabbath and repair the breach in His law through both precept and example. --- 💡 **You might also want to explore:** • What does Ellen White say about the seal of God and its connection to Sabbath observance? • How did Ellen White describe the role of young people in finishing God's work? • What counsel did she give about maintaining faithfulness in God's work during difficult times?

# Working on the Sabbath Ellen White taught that the Sabbath is a sacred day set apart for rest and worship, and that secular labor should cease. She wrote that "the Sabbath law forbids secular labor on the rest day of the Lord; the toil that gains a livelihood must cease; no labor for worldly pleasure or profit is lawful on that day" (HLv 131.5). This principle is rooted in God's commandment: "Six days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work: but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work" (2SM 359.3). She emphasized that we should guard ourselves carefully when the Sabbath begins, stating that "we should not do ourselves, nor suffer our children to do, any manner of our own work for a livelihood, or anything which could have been done on the six working days" (2T 702.1). Friday is designated as the preparation day, when "time can then be devoted to making the necessary preparation for the Sabbath and to thinking and conversing about it" (GW92 207). ## The Danger of Sabbath Work Ellen White warned about the spiritual peril of working on the Sabbath. She explained that "those who, from whatever cause, are obliged to work on the Sabbath, are in peril; they feel the loss, and from doing works of necessity they fall into the habit of working on the Sabbath. The sense of its sacredness is lost, and the holy commandment is of no effect" (20MR 389.3). This shows how even necessary work can lead to a gradual erosion of Sabbath sacredness. She also counseled that "many carelessly put off till the beginning of the Sabbath little things that might have been done on the day of preparation. This should not be. Work that is neglected until the beginning of the Sabbath should remain undone until it is past" (PP 296.1). This teaches us to be intentional about our preparation and to respect the Sabbath boundary. ## Exceptions: Works of Necessity and Mercy However, Ellen White did acknowledge that certain works are appropriate on the Sabbath. She wrote that "as God ceased His labor of creating, and rested on the Sabbath, so man is to leave the occupations of daily life and devote those sacred hours to healthful rest, worship, and holy deeds. Christ's healing the sick honored the Sabbath" (HLv 131.5). This shows that acts of mercy and spiritual service are in harmony with Sabbath observance. ## Practical Example Ellen White shared an encouraging example of faithfulness: "Brother Hicks is employed to oversee the working force on the railroad, receiving $1500 per year. He embraced the Sabbath and sent in his resignation, but the president of the road did not accept it, so he has continued to keep the Sabbath and do his work. He has been sent for a number of times to oversee some difficult job on the railroad on the Sabbath, but he did not respond and they did not discharge him for he is faithful and is esteemed highly" (MR1033 18.4). This demonstrates that God honors those who stand firm in their commitment to Sabbath observance. ## The Broader Context Ellen White also counseled believers to be careful about their employment choices, stating that "we are to be careful not to place ourselves where it will be hard for ourselves and our children to keep the Sabbath" (2SM 359.3). This shows the importance of planning our lives in ways that honor God's holy day. The Sabbath is not merely about physical rest but also about spiritual focus. She taught that "God requires not only that we refrain from physical labor upon the Sabbath, but that the mind be disciplined to dwell upon sacred themes" (2T 702.1). This includes avoiding worldly conversation and dedicating the day to worship and holy activities. --- 💡 **You might also want to explore:** • What specific preparations should be made on Friday for the Sabbath? • How should Sabbath keepers respond when employers pressure them to work on Sabbath? • What activities are appropriate for the Sabbath besides attending church services? --- 📚 **thousands of passages found** containing these search terms — [Explore in Full-Text Search](/advanced-search?q=working+on+Sabbath%3F)