p. 661 | Idolatry of Business

International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, Cal. · Nov 4, 1886

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 12, No. 42.

Idolatry of Business.

An idol may be considered as that which is substituted for God, being put in Jehovah's place, to receive the attention and regard belonging only to him. That upon which the affections are excessively and improperly set may be ranked as an idol. That is a man's idol of which he thinks the most, and to which his heart is most devoted, whether it is Buddha or Brahma, pleasure or wealth, or any other thing whatever. Accordingly, business may be an idol. This, however, involves a gross abuse of that which is plainly authorized and required; for business is not to be discarded nor neglected. Every person should be actively and habitually employed, having a useful occupation. Those who have nothing to do have no right to a place in human society. It is the great law of humanity, "In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread." Paul could say to the Thessalonians, "This we commanded you, that if any man would not work, neither should he eat." And while every one should have a regular business, consisting ordinarily of that which he does for a livelihood, he should unquestionably be assiduous in attending to it, according to the inspired rule, "Diligent in business." But, at the same time, he is to recognize other obligations than those pertaining merely to that which is denominated business, for he is equally bound by a divine precept to be "fervent in spirit, serving the Lord."

Indeed, everything ought to be made secondary and subservient to the service of God. If a man be so engrossed in his worldly calling, whatever it may be, as to neglect his religious duties, giving so much attention to his farm, or his shop, or his avocation of any kind, as to exclude himself from the closet of secret prayer, or the family altar, or the prayer-meeting, or so as to unfit himself for properly meeting these and other imperative claims of religion, then "his business becomes his idol and his sin." God is infinitely exalted in his absolute supremacy, so that he is immeasurably and inconceivably above all besides himself. In this, his inapproachable superiority over all else that exists, he has a universal claim to the homage of human hearts. He acknowledges no rival in the affections of any heart. Whatever deprives him of the homage which is his due, is idolatrous and sinful.—Watchman.