9. He also that is slothful in his work is brother to him that is a great waster.
Observe the affinity of the different principles and workings of corruption. The sluggard and the prodigal belong to the same family. The man who “hid the Lord's talent,” was equally unfaithful with him who “wasted his goods.” (Matthew 25:25. Luke 16:1.) The slothful has no heart for his work. Important opportunities slip by. His stock, instead of increasing by trade, gradually dwindles into penury. ‘God hath a bountiful “hand, and filleth all things living with plenteousness.” (Psalm 145:16. P.T.) But unless we have a diligent hand wherewith to receive it, we may starve. He that by the sloth of his hand disfurnisheth himself of the means of getting, he is as near of kin to a waster as may be.’† He is the brother of a great waster — the lord of a large estate, who, instead of husbanding, improving, and enjoying it, wastes it away in extravagance and folly.
It is the same in religion. The one is content with heartless orthodoxy. His secret prayer brings no after remembrance. His family worship is a routine of formality, not the influential ordinance of the day. “Communing with his heart” is mere barren generality, bringing no accurate and humbling knowledge of himself. And wherein does he differ from the careless waster of his privileges? Where is the important distinction between him who prays, reads, and works formally, and him, who utterly casts these high privileges away? Both take the same course, though by a somewhat different track. The one folds his arms in sloth. The other opens his hands in wastefulness. The one gets nothing. The other spends what he gets. The one rushes into beggary. The other sits still, and waits its arrival. (Chapter 6:11.) The one dies by a rapid and violent disease. The other by a slow, subtle, but sure, consumption. Thus fearful is the guilt, solemn is the account, certain is the ruin, of both. God gives talents not only to enrich, but to employ. And whether they be selfishly neglected, or carelessly thrown away — “Thou wicked servant” will be the condemnation; “outer darkness” will be the just and eternal doom. (Matthew 25:26-30.) Servant of Christ! let thy Master's life be thy pattern and thy standard. Not a moment with him was slothfully neglected; not a moment unprofitably wasted. Equally fervent was he in daily work, as in nightly prayer. Follow him in his work, and thou wilt be honoured with His reward. (John 12:26.)
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