Diligence in Business
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placed in your position, they would, by a diligent use of both mental
and physical powers, soon be above want and owe no man anything.
It is not because God owes you a grudge that circumstances appear to
be against you, but because you do not use the strength He has given
you. He did not intend that your powers should rust by inaction, but
that they should strengthen by use.
The religion you profess makes it as much your duty to employ
your time during the six working days as to attend church on the
Sabbath. You are not diligent in business. You let hours, days, and
even weeks pass without accomplishing anything. The very best
sermon you could preach to the world would be to show a decided
reformation in your life, and provide for your own family. Says the
apostle: “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.”
You bring a reproach upon the cause by locating in a place, where
you indulge indolence for a time and then are obliged to run in debt
for provision for your family. These your honest debts you are not
always particular to pay, but, instead, move to another place. This
is defrauding your neighbor. The world has a right to expect strict
integrity in those who profess to be Bible Christians. By one man’s
indifference in regard to paying his just dues, all our people are in
danger of being regarded as unreliable.
“Whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so
to them.” This refers to those who labor with their hands as well as to
those who have gifts to bestow. God has given you strength and skill,
but you have not used them.
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Your strength is sufficient to abundantly support your family. Rise
in the morning, even while the stars are shining, if need be. Lay your
plans to do something, and then accomplish it. Redeem every pledge
unless sickness lays you prostrate. Better deny yourself food and sleep
than be guilty of keeping from others their just dues.
The hill of progress is not to be climbed without effort. No one
need expect to be carried along to the prize, either in religious or
secular matters, independently of his own exertions. The race is not
always to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, yet he that dealeth with
a slack hand will become poor. The persevering and industrious are
not only happy themselves, but they contribute largely to the happiness
of others. Competency and comfort are not ordinarily attained except