C.H. Spurgeon emphasizes the importance of being active in our faith rather than merely possessing knowledge or potential. He points out that many who are capable often do not engage in service, while those with less experience fervently contribute. Spurgeon urges believers to focus on their current actions for the Lord rather than what they could achieve if they chose to. He highlights that true reward comes from humble acts of service, like offering a cup of cold water, rather than from unfulfilled potential. The call is to excel in consecration, self-denial, and earnestness in our spiritual lives.

I know persons of great attainments in spiritual knowledge who do not teach one half so much as newly converted lads and girls, who occupy their posts in the school right earnestly, and teach what little they know. I regret to say it, that those who could fight best are often the last to go to battle, and those who could plough best most often leave the ploughshare to rust, while feebler hands are worn to the bone. Brother, I will not deny that you have much knowledge, nor question that you have much experience, nor debate with you your right to be our superior but if you be so, be so good as to excel us in consecration, in self-denial, in earnestness, and in holiness. In estimating our personal character, let us not so much calculate what we could be, as what we are. Let us not so much consider what we might be if we would, but what we really are doing for the Lord, for that is the matter of most importance. You may be a well of water, but you will get no credit for it at the last; the reward comes for the cup of cold water that was given to a disciple in the name of a disciple. From a sermon by Charles Haddon Spurgeon entitled "A Catechism For The Proud,"