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Patriarchs and Prophets
infamy in his old age; and he gave to the world, not a race of righteous
men, but two idolatrous nations, at enmity with God and warring upon
His people, until, their cup of iniquity being full, they were appointed
to destruction. How terrible were the results that followed one unwise
step!
Says the wise man, “Labor not to be rich: cease from thine own
wisdom.” “He that is greedy of gain troubleth his own house; but he
that hateth gifts shall live.”
Proverbs 23:4
;
15:27
. And the apostle Paul
declares, “They that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and
into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction
and perdition.”
1 Timothy 6:9
.
When Lot entered Sodom he fully intended to keep himself free
from iniquity and to command his household after him. But he signally
failed. The corrupting influences about him had an effect upon his
own faith, and his children’s connection with the inhabitants of Sodom
bound up his interest in a measure with theirs. The result is before us.
Many are still making a similar mistake. In selecting a home
they look more to the temporal advantages they may gain than to
the moral and social influences that will surround themselves and
their families. They choose a beautiful and fertile country, or remove
to some flourishing city, in the hope of securing greater prosperity;
[169]
but their children are surrounded by temptation, and too often they
form associations that are unfavorable to the development of piety and
the formation of a right character. The atmosphere of lax morality,
of unbelief, of indifference to religious things, has a tendency to
counteract the influence of the parents. Examples of rebellion against
parental and divine authority are ever before the youth; many form
attachments for infidels and unbelievers, and cast in their lot with the
enemies of God.
In choosing a home, God would have us consider, first of all, the
moral and religious influences that will surround us and our families.
We may be placed in trying positions, for many cannot have their
surroundings what they would; and whenever duty calls us, God will
enable us to stand uncorrupted, if we watch and pray, trusting in the
grace of Christ. But we should not needlessly expose ourselves to
influences that are unfavorable to the formation of Christian character.
When we voluntarily place ourselves in an atmosphere of worldliness
and unbelief, we displease God and drive holy angels from our homes.