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XII.
Christian Growth and Experience
Chapter 137
:
Diligence
1. WHAT general command
has God given concerning labor?
"Six days shalt thou labor, and do
all thy work." Ex. 20:9.
2. Instead of living
upon the earnings of others, what instruction is
given?
"Let him that stole steal no more:
but rather let him labor, working with his
hands the thing which is good, that he may
have to give to him that needeth." Eph.4:28.
3. What general rule
does Paul lay down upon this subject?
"For even when we were with you, this
we commanded you, that if any would not work,
neither should he eat." 2 Thess. 3:10.
4. In what language
does he condemn idleness?
"For we hear that there are some
which walk among you disorderly, working not
at all, but are busybodies. Now them that
are such we command and exhort by our
Lord Jesus Christ, that with quietness they
work, and eat their own bread." Verses
11,12.
5. What example did the
apostle himself set in this matter?
"Neither did we eat any man's bread
for naught; but wrought with labor and
travail night and day, that we might not be
chargeable to any of you." Verse 8.
6. What labor was
appointed man in consequence of the fall?
"In the sweat of thy face shalt
thou eat bread, till thou return unto the
ground." Gen. 3:19.
NOTE.-A life of laborious and perpetual
toil, in a world cursed with weeds, thorns,
and thistles, was appointed to man in
consequence of the entrance of sin. This was
a part of the curse. And yet even this was
appointed in love, and, under existing
circumstances, is a blessing in disguise. It
was a discipline rendered necessary because
of sin, to place a check upon the indulgence
of appetite and passion, to develop habits
of industry and self-control, and to teach
lessons on overcoming evil. Were not man
called to labor thus, his sins and miseries
would be multiplied manyfold.
7. What are some of the
results of industry?
"He that tilleth his land shall
have plenty of bread." Prov. 28:19. "The
hand of the diligent maketh rich." Prov.
10:4. "The soul of the diligent shall be made
fat." Prov. 13:4.
8. What results from
slackness and indolence in business?
"He becometh poor that dealeth
with a slack hand." Prov. 10:4. "The soul of the
sluggard desireth, and hath nothing."
Prov. 13:4.
9. What does Solomon
say concerning diligence in business?
"Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do,
do it with thy might." Eccl. 9:10. "Be thou
diligent to know the state of thy flocks, and
look well to thy herds." Prov. 27:23. "He that
gathereth in summer is a wise son: but he that
sleepeth in harvest is a son that causeth
shame." Prov. 10:5.
NOTE.-"The way to wealth, if you desire it,
is as plain as the way to market. It depends
chiefly on two words- industry and
frugality; that is, waste neither
time nor money, but make the best
of both. Without industry and frugality
nothing will do; and with them everything."-
Benjamin Franklin.
10. What does Solomon
say of the industrious woman?
"She looketh well to the ways of
her household, and eateth not the bread of
idleness. Her children arise up, and call
her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth
her." Prov. 31:27,28.
11. What has Paul said
of the professed Christian who does not provide
for his own family?
"But if any provide not for his own,
and specially for those of his own house, he
hath denied the faith, and is worse than an
infidel." 1 Tim. 5:8.
12. What picture has
Solomon given of the slothful man?
"I went by the field of the slothful,
and by the vineyard of the man void of
understanding; and, lo, it was all grown over
with thorns, and nettles had covered the face
thereof, and the stone wall thereof was broken
down." Prov. 24:30,31.
NOTES.-"An indolent man draweth his breath,
but does not live."- Cicero.
"The parent who does not teach his child a
trade, teaches him to be a thief."-
Brahmanic Proverb.
"When tillage begins, other arts follow. The
farmers therefore are the founders of human
civilization."- Daniel Webster .
"If a man be indolent, the best discipline
to which he can be subjected is to suffer
the evils of penury."- Wayland.
"Nothing can be done with a man who will not
work. We have in our scheme of government no
room for the man who does not wish to pay
his way through life by what he does. . . .
Capacity for work is absolutely necessary,
and no man can be said to live in the true
sense of the word if he does not work."-
Theodore Roosevelt.
"Luck is waiting for something to turn up.
Labor, with keen eyes and strong will, will
turn up something. Luck whines. Labor
whistles. Luck relies on chances. Labor, on
character. Luck slips down to indigence.
Labor strides upward to independence. Luck
lies in bed, and wishes the postman would
bring him news of a legacy. Labor turns out
at six o'clock, and with busy pen or ringing
hammer lays the foundation of a
competence."- Cobden.
13. In spiritual
matters, what is also necessary?
"And beside this, giving all
diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to
virtue knowledge. . . . Give diligence to
make your calling and election sure." 2 Peter
1:5-10.
NOTE.-In temporal matters the difference
between a prosperous man and a sluggard lies
principally in the improvement of
opportunities. One grasps these, while the
other is too indolent to do so. In the
gaining of eternal life this same principle
applies. God has placed salvation within the
reach of all. None need be lost. Christ died
for all, but all will not be saved, for some
do not care enough for eternal life
diligently to lay hold of it.
NEAT
be your farm; 'tis long confessed
The neatest farmer is the best;
Each bog and marsh industrious drain,
Nor let vile balks deform the plain,
Nor bushes on your headland grow,
Nor briers a sloven culture show.
Neat be your barns, your houses sweet;
Your paths be clean, your dooryards neat;
No moss the sheltering roof enshroud,
No wooden panes the windows cloud;
No sink drains should above ground flow,
Nor weeds with rankling poison grow;
But flowers expand, and fruit-trees bloom,
And fragrant shrubs exhale perfume.
Neatly enclose your garden round;
Smooth, enrich, and clear the ground;
For if to taste and profit you incline,
Beauty and use you always should combine. |
