You cannot do another’s work
However hard you try,
But if perchance you manage to
You are living a lie.
For then, you see, I must believe
Your work is oft unfinished,
For if you have time to do another’s
Yours must be quite diminished.
Little or nothing to do
Or, perhaps not exercising enough,
If this be the case my mixed-up friend,
That is rather tough.
All the work you’ve managed to do
Simply was your own,
If it wasn’t at the beginning
Then your workload had grown.
To whom much is given
To the same much is expected,
So the thought it is someone else’s
Must surely be rejected.
You will be held accountable
For the work you have to do
And the excuse it was not your work
Will never see you through.
If you do another’s work
That person is automatically absolved,
His work is now become your work;
You are the one involved.
It switches from him to you
Hence, you are now responsible,
And if anything should go wrong
You’d be the one in trouble.
If it is good, you get the praise,
If it is bad; the blame,
And that to my mind is fair enough
However much you complain.
You cannot do another’s work,
Whatever you do is yours
So, do it well with all your strength
For your reward is sure.
The reward is fitted to the work;
The two go hand in hand,
He that works, the reward is his,
That’s according to the plan.
You might do ten men’s work
Or five men or even two,
It’s your work you must remember
So keep this within view.
You cannot do another’s work
That is not at all possible,
Concentrate on the work you have
And do it while you’re able.
Every believer has a work:
A work he or she must do,
No one can do another one's work
And that also means you.
Stewart Russell © January 16, 2022
