THE SIN OF IDLENESS by L. J. B.

Pacific Press Publishing Company · OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA · Nov 7, 1900

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 26, No. 45.

THE SIN OF IDLENESS.

By L. J. B.

THE Lord cursed the ground for Adam's sake, making it necessary for him to work for a living. "In the sweat of thy face," He declared, "shalt thou eat bread." This was not an arbitrary decree nor a matter of punishment, but the work he must do would be a blessing to Adam. Satan finds work for idle hands; but exercise promotes health, keeping poisonous matter out of the system. And his labor would give Adam an appetite for the plain but delicious food which the Lord had provided.

The apostle Paul says, "This we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat." This is not only a command, but it contains a principle. Without work, the appetite becomes poor, and the system overburdened in taking care of food which is not needed.

"And Pharaoh spake unto Joseph, saying, Thy father and thy brethren are come unto thee; . . . and if thou knowest any men of activity among them, then make them rulers over my cattle." Men of activity are always in demand. Activity means life; but idleness, lethargy and death.

"By much slothfulness the building decayeth; and through idleness of the hands the house droppeth through." In other words, the lack of exercise, physical, mental, or spiritual, results in weakness and decay.

"He also that is slothful in his work is brother to him that is a great waster." But this is not his only relative; for idleness is the father of many vices and diseases. Time is our capital, and the way we spend it determines what our income will be. "Slothfulness casteth into a deep sleep; and an idle soul shall suffer hunger." "Love not sleep, lest thou come to poverty; open thine eyes, and thou shalt be satisfied with bread." "Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep; so shall thy poverty come as one that traveleth, and thy want as an armed man." Physical, mental, or spiritual idleness will surely result in poverty of muscle, poverty of mind, and poverty of soul. "The slothful man saith, There is a lion without, I shall be slain in the streets;" but the man who goes out to meet the lion gets life and strength to overcome larger obstacles.

Idle hands are like idle words; both must be accounted for in the day of judgment. And not only is he idle who is doing nothing, but he also is idle who might be better employed. We should—

"Strive to live not long, but well; How long we live, not years, but actions tell." L. J. B.