Business Idolatry

International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Nov 18, 1886

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 12, No. 44.

Business Idolatry.

The idolatry of business may be seen in many and various aspects. When business overrides religion, in any way, it is idolatrous. Not only when it monopolizes time so as to prevent the performance of religious duties, but, also, when it absorbs the mind and blunts the religious feelings, should it be regarded as an idol. When a man, in any sense, cares more for his business than his religion, he assuredly has an idol that he ought to put away. When he looks at everything in a business rather than a religious light, and acts habitually upon business rather than religious principle, though the one may be in conflict with the other, he needs admonishing lest his idol be a witness against him before which he cannot securely stand. It is a mistake, and more than a mistake, to conduct business upon mere worldly principles, regardless of their variance from religious principles. So doing involves ungodliness which amounts to a violation of the first commandment, "Thou shalt have no other gods before me."—Sel.