But he that is married careth for the things that are of the world, how he may please his wife.
He that is married gives care to earthly things, to how he may please his wife, and one whose mind is fully engrossed with marriage gives care to the things of the world and thereby disqualifies himself to do the work God would have him do. Bringing children into the world greatly increases those cares and burdens. It exhausts strength and forces attention to nursing and carrying and clothing and caring for them.
For workers called to missionary work in distant fields this divided care toward family and the world prevents giving full strength to saving souls. Influence and usefulness fall to one half or one third of what could be done for God. Once children are born the greatest care must be the family, and that duty takes time and powers that otherwise would belong to God's cause, with children left here and there for others to care for and the field neglected. It is better for such workers not to marry but to devote all interests and powers to God's cause. After marriage it is better to thoughtfully consider the situation and give God all the powers given for saving precious souls rather than using strength to enlarge the family or laboring to bring a large number of children into the world.
In the last days a great desire to marry presses upon youth, and many of these marriages are instigated by the enemy. The subject of marriage has a bewitching power that bewilders men to think entrance upon it is the attainment of bliss. Persistent determination to marry against reason and objection is self-deception and evidence that the will is not in subjection to the will of God. Such an unprepared union entered as a snare brings great trial and worriment of mind, desperation, and great unhappiness. It dwarfs both partners in spiritual things and makes them hindrances to each other instead of helps. It leaves a man unfitted for the responsibilities of husband and family and unfitted for the work of God unless he criticizes his motives, keeps a single eye to act in all things for the glory of God, and comes into a yielding, teachable frame.
He that is married gives care to earthly things, to how he may please his wife, and one whose mind is fully engrossed with marriage gives care to the things of the world and thereby disqualifies himself to do the work God would have him do. Bringing children into the world greatly increases those cares and burdens. It exhausts strength and forces attention to nursing and carrying and clothing and caring for them.
For workers called to missionary work in distant fields this divided care toward family and the world prevents giving full strength to saving souls. Influence and usefulness fall to one half or one third of what could be done for God. Once children are born the greatest care must be the family, and that duty takes time and powers that otherwise would belong to God's cause, with children left here and there for others to care for and the field neglected. It is better for such workers not to marry but to devote all interests and powers to God's cause. After marriage it is better to thoughtfully consider the situation and give God all the powers given for saving precious souls rather than using strength to enlarge the family or laboring to bring a large number of children into the world.
In the last days a great desire to marry presses upon youth, and many of these marriages are instigated by the enemy. The subject of marriage has a bewitching power that bewilders men to think entrance upon it is the attainment of bliss. Persistent determination to marry against reason and objection is self-deception and evidence that the will is not in subjection to the will of God. Such an unprepared union entered as a snare brings great trial and worriment of mind, desperation, and great unhappiness. It dwarfs both partners in spiritual things and makes them hindrances to each other instead of helps. It leaves a man unfitted for the responsibilities of husband and family and unfitted for the work of God unless he criticizes his motives, keeps a single eye to act in all things for the glory of God, and comes into a yielding, teachable frame.