--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: If a commission by an earthly king is…" description: "\"If a commission by an earthly king is considered an honor, how can a commission by a Heavenly King be considered a sacrifice?\" — David Livingstone" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d9e/david-livingstone-9779_heavenly_if-a-commission-by-an-earthly-king-is-co_482662.jpg" --- # If a commission by an earthly king is considered an honor… ![“If a commission by an earthly king is considered an honor, how can a commission by a Heavenly King be considered a sacrifice?” quote by David Livingstone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d9e/david-livingstone-9779_heavenly_if-a-commission-by-an-earthly-king-is-co_482662.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d9e/david-livingstone-9779_heavenly_if-a-commission-by-an-earthly-king-is-co_482662.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d9e/david-livingstone-9779_heavenly_if-a-commission-by-an-earthly-king-is-co_482662.jpg) > “If a commission by an earthly king is considered an honor, how can a commission by a Heavenly King be considered a sacrifice?” [David Livingstone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-livingstone/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. A royal commission is an honor, but a divine commission demands self‑sacrifice because it serves higher, spiritual purposes. **In simple terms:** Heavenly duties require sacrifice, unlike earthly honors. Key Takeaway Accept higher calls even when costly. Themes honor service spirituality Mood reflective serious Type philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - missionary work - ethical leadership - personal vocation Key Concepts sacrifice divine duty Questions to Reflect On - What would you give up for a higher purpose? - How do you balance honor and sacrifice? A Different Perspective Sacrifice may conflict with personal safety or desire. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Heavenly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/heavenly/) [Honor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/honor/) [Kings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/kings/) [Missionary](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/missionary/) [Sacrifice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sacrifice/) [Wisdom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wisdom/) ## Related quotes > [The Bible is the sceptre by which the Heavenly King rules His Church.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-calvin/the-bible-is-the-sceptre-by-which-the-heavenly-king-rules-his-church/) [John Calvin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-calvin/) > [None of us will honor our Heavenly Father and our Savior more than by serving as a devoted, compassionate missionary, "For them that honour…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-s-monson/none-of-us-will-honor-our-heavenly-father-and-our-savior-more-than-by/) [Thomas S. Monson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-s-monson/) > [As base a thing as money often is, yet it can be transmuted into everlasting treasure. It can be converted into food for the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aiden-wilson-tozer/as-base-a-thing-as-money-often-is-yet-it-can-be-transmuted-into/) [Aiden Wilson Tozer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aiden-wilson-tozer/) > [I am a missionary, heart and soul.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-livingstone/i-am-a-missionary-heart-and-soul/) [David Livingstone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-livingstone/) > [I will try and remember always to approach God in secret with as much reverence in speech, posture, and behavior as in public. Help…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-livingstone/i-will-try-and-remember-always-to-approach-god-in-secret-with-as-much/) [David Livingstone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-livingstone/) > [I have never ceased to rejoice that God has appointed me to such an office.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-livingstone/i-have-never-ceased-to-rejoice-that-god-has-appointed-me-to-such-an/) [David Livingstone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-livingstone/) > [God had only one Son, and He was a missionary.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-livingstone/god-had-only-one-son-and-he-was-a-missionary/) [David Livingstone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-livingstone/) > [I view the end of the geographical feat as the beginning of the missionary enterprise.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-livingstone/i-view-the-end-of-the-geographical-feat-as-the-beginning-of-the/) [David Livingstone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-livingstone/) > [ The end of the \[geographical\] exploration is the beginning of the \[missionary\] enterprise. ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-livingstone/the-end-of-the-geographical-exploration-is-the-beginning-of-the/) [David Livingstone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-livingstone/) > [I never made a sacrifice. Of this we ought not to talk when we remember the great sacrifice which he made who left His…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-livingstone/i-never-made-a-sacrifice-of-this-we-ought-not-to-talk-when-we/) [David Livingstone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-livingstone/) > [And although I see few results, future missionaries will see conversions following every sermon. 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It is not to make money that I believe a Christian should live. The noblest thing a man can…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-livingstone/do-not-think-me-mad-it-is-not-to-make-money-that-i-believe-a/) [David Livingstone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-livingstone/) ## More by David Livingstone > [I am a missionary, heart and soul.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-livingstone/i-am-a-missionary-heart-and-soul/) [David Livingstone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-livingstone/) > [It is hard to work for years with pure motives, and all the time be looked upon by most of those to whom our…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-livingstone/it-is-hard-to-work-for-years-with-pure-motives-and-all-the-time-be/) [David Livingstone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-livingstone/) > [If you knew the satisfaction of performing a duty, as well as the gratitude to God which the missionary must always feel in being…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-livingstone/if-you-knew-the-satisfaction-of-performing-a-duty-as-well-as-the/) [David Livingstone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-livingstone/) > [I will place no value on anything I have or may possess, except in relation to the kingdom of Christ. If anything will advance…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-livingstone/i-will-place-no-value-on-anything-i-have-or-may-possess-except-in/) [David Livingstone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-livingstone/) > [If you knew the satisfaction of performing such a duty, as well as the gratitude to God which the missionary must always feel, in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-livingstone/if-you-knew-the-satisfaction-of-performing-such-a-duty-as-well-as-the/) [David Livingstone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-livingstone/) > [Death alone will put a stop to my effort!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-livingstone/death-alone-will-put-a-stop-to-my-effort/) [David Livingstone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-livingstone/) > [The mere animal pleasure of travelling in a wild unexplored country is also great. The effect of travel on a man whose heart is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-livingstone/the-mere-animal-pleasure-of-travelling-in-a-wild-unexplored-country/) [David Livingstone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-livingstone/) > [And although I see few results, future missionaries will see conversions following every sermon. May they not forget the pioneers who worked in the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-livingstone/and-although-i-see-few-results-future-missionaries-will-see/) [David Livingstone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-livingstone/) > [It is far easier to travel than to write about it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-livingstone/it-is-far-easier-to-travel-than-to-write-about-it/) [David Livingstone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-livingstone/) > [I am prepared to go anywhere, provided it be forward.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-livingstone/i-am-prepared-to-go-anywhere-provided-it-be-forward/) [David Livingstone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-livingstone/) > [The islands above the falls are covered with foliage as beautiful as can be seen anywhere. Viewed from the mass of rock which overhangs…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-livingstone/the-islands-above-the-falls-are-covered-with-foliage-as-beautiful-as/) [David Livingstone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-livingstone/) > [I never made a sacrifice. Of this we ought not to talk when we remember the great sacrifice which he made who left His…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-livingstone/i-never-made-a-sacrifice-of-this-we-ought-not-to-talk-when-we/) [David Livingstone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-livingstone/) > [Men are immortal till their work is done.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-livingstone/men-are-immortal-till-their-work-is-done/) [David Livingstone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-livingstone/) > [ The end of the \[geographical\] exploration is the beginning of the \[missionary\] enterprise. ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-livingstone/the-end-of-the-geographical-exploration-is-the-beginning-of-the/) [David Livingstone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-livingstone/) > [If success attend me, grant me humility; If failure, resignation to Thy will.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-livingstone/if-success-attend-me-grant-me-humility-if-failure-resignation-to-thy/) [David Livingstone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-livingstone/) [Explore all 70 David Livingstone quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-livingstone/) ## More Heavenly quotes > [It is a sweet thing that we serve a dissatisfied God who has destinations in mind for us that we would never choose for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-david-tripp/it-is-a-sweet-thing-that-we-serve-a-dissatisfied-god-who-has/) [Paul David Tripp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-david-tripp/) > [What comes to mind when you think of heaven? Heaven is referred to in fifty-four of the Bible's sixty-six books, and the final two…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-jeremiah/what-comes-to-mind-when-you-think-of-heaven-heaven-is-referred-to-in/) [David Jeremiah](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-jeremiah/) > [An excessive preponderance of an idealistic mood is harmful to society: it creates daydreaming, political Don Quixotism, hope for heavenly intervention. This is an…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henryk-sienkiewicz/an-excessive-preponderance-of-an-idealistic-mood-is-harmful-to/) [Henryk Sienkiewicz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henryk-sienkiewicz/) > [You're so heavenly minded, you're no earthly good.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johnny-cash/you-re-so-heavenly-minded-you-re-no-earthly-good/) [Johnny Cash](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johnny-cash/) > [You will be at your best forever, Even now you have good moments. Occasional glimpses of your heavenly self. When you change your baby's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/max-lucado/you-will-be-at-your-best-forever-even-now-you-have-good-moments/) [Max Lucado](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/max-lucado/) > [Thank God for Heaven! - That's where everything will get straightened out and made right!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-berg/thank-god-for-heaven-that-s-where-everything-will-get-straightened/) [David Berg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-berg/) > [Daily simple, sincere, and mighty prayers lift our lives to a higher spiritual altitude. In our prayers we praise God, give thanks to Him,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dieter-f-uchtdorf/daily-simple-sincere-and-mighty-prayers-lift-our-lives-to-a-higher/) [Dieter F. Uchtdorf](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dieter-f-uchtdorf/) > [If you are to go to Christ, do not put on your good doings and feelings, or you will get nothing. Go in your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-spurgeon/if-you-are-to-go-to-christ-do-not-put-on-your-good-doings-and/) [Charles Spurgeon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-spurgeon/) > [I suggest that just as self-consciousness is the goal for all the subhuman forms of life, and as group consciousness, or the consciousness of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alice-bailey/i-suggest-that-just-as-self-consciousness-is-the-goal-for-all-the/) [Alice Bailey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alice-bailey/) > [Heavenly Father hears your prayers, He loves you. He knows your name. He loves you beyond your ability to comprehend.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-b-eyring/heavenly-father-hears-your-prayers-he-loves-you-he-knows-your-name-he/) [Henry B. Eyring](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-b-eyring/) > [Princes are like heavenly bodies, which cause good or evil times, and which have much veneration, but no rest.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francis-bacon/princes-are-like-heavenly-bodies-which-cause-good-or-evil-times-and/) [Francis Bacon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francis-bacon/) > [Although we might settle for less, Heavenly Father won't, for he sees us as the glorious beings we are capable of becoming.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-b-wirthlin/although-we-might-settle-for-less-heavenly-father-won-t-for-he-sees/) [Joseph B. Wirthlin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-b-wirthlin/) > [“An atheist is someone who is disappointed in his search of god. He is a man who strongly needed god but couldn't find him.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bangambiki-habyarimana/an-atheist-is-someone-who-is-disappointed-in-his-search-of-god-he-is/) [Bangambiki Habyarimana](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bangambiki-habyarimana/) > [We must understand that God does not "love" us without liking us - through gritted teeth - as "Christian" love is sometimes thought to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dallas-willard/we-must-understand-that-god-does-not-love-us-without-liking-us/) [Dallas Willard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dallas-willard/) > [There'll be no more big powers and oppressed poor - only fairness and justice for all, and eternal happiness. So if you're looking for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-berg/there-ll-be-no-more-big-powers-and-oppressed-poor-only-fairness-and/) [David Berg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-berg/) [Browse all 1,181 Heavenly quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/heavenly/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "If a commission by an earthly king is considered an honor, how can a commission by a Heavenly King be considered a sacrifice?", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "David Livingstone" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-livingstone/if-a-commission-by-an-earthly-king-is-considered-an-honor-how-can-a/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Heavenly" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-livingstone/if-a-commission-by-an-earthly-king-is-considered-an-honor-how-can-a/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d9e/david-livingstone-9779_heavenly_if-a-commission-by-an-earthly-king-is-co_482662.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d9e/david-livingstone-9779_heavenly_if-a-commission-by-an-earthly-king-is-co_482662.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d9e/david-livingstone-9779_heavenly_if-a-commission-by-an-earthly-king-is-co_482662.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“If a commission by an earthly king is considered an honor, how can a commission by a Heavenly King be…” — David Livingstone", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "David Livingstone", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-livingstone/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "If a commission by an earthly...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-livingstone/if-a-commission-by-an-earthly-king-is-considered-an-honor-how-can-a/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-livingstone/if-a-commission-by-an-earthly-king-is-considered-an-honor-how-can-a/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```