THE FAMILY ALTAR
October 14.
"For even when we were with you, this we commanded you,
that if any would not work, neither should he eat." 2 Thess. 3:10.
Here we learn from the apostle that God has no use for any
man who will not work. Both the idle rich and the idle poor are
an abomination to God. No man has a right to shirk honest toil,
be he who he may. Unto every man God has given a talent which
he is to use for his own welfare and the benefit of his fellow-men.
Woe to him if he wraps it in the napkin of idleness ! God will
call him to account one day. It is wrong, therefore, to assist pro-
fessional beggars and tramps. They are thieves, stealing and wast-
ing the time and opportunity God has given them for useful labor.
If they will not work, then they should not eat. But from this
admonition of the apostle we learn also that Christianity does not
unfit its followers for useful and effectual labor in this world. It is
a sad perversion of our blessed Savior's teachings when men and
women think that they can attain to a holier life if they forsake
this workaday world and enter the monastery or cloister. How
often facts come to light which show that the devil has his workshop
also in these institutions ! Ever since our blessed Lord removed
the curse of sin from us, He has also removed the curse resting on
our labor. Now work is a blessing for which we cannot thank our
God enough. Let us thank God if we are able to work, and let
us work as Christians, not as men-pleasers, not for selfish ends, but
as the servants of God. The most zealous, faithful, and trustworthy
employees in any calling are always the true Christians.
Work, for the night is coming,
Work through the morning hours;
Work while the dew is sparkling,
Work 'mid springing flowers;
Work when the day grows brighter,
Work in the glowing sun;
Work, for the night is coming,
When man's work is done.
Work, for the night is coming,
Work through the sunny noon;
Fill brightest hours with labor,
Rest comes sure and soon:
Give every flying minute
Something to keep in store:
Work, for the night is coming,
When man works no more.
