WHAT good things are spoken of the faithful and energetic?
"He that tilleth his land shall have plenty of bread."(Proverbs 28:19)
"The hand of the diligent maketh rich."(Proverbs 10:4)
"The soul of the diligent shall be made fat."(Proverbs 13:4)
2. What is said of the man of opposite characteristics?
"He becometh poor that dealeth with a slack hand."(Proverbs 10:4)
"The soul of the sluggard desireth and hath nothing."(Proverbs 13:4)
3. What social distinction is shown between the diligent man and the slothful one?
"The hand of the diligent shall bear rule, but the slothful shall be under tribute."
Proverbs 12:24
4. What honor awaits the diligent man of business?
"Seest thou a man diligent in his business? He shall stand before kings; he shall not stand before mean men."
Proverbs 22:29
5. Give an example of the reward of industry.
"And the man Jeroboam was a mighty man of valor; and Solomon seeing the young man that he was industrious, he made him ruler over all the charge of the house of Joseph."
1 Kings 11:28
Read also the three verses following.
6. May we estimate a man's thrift by the condition of his dwelling?
"By much slothfulness the building decayeth; and through idleness of the hands the house droppeth through."
Ecclesiastes 10:18
7. Give a picture of a slack man's farm, as drawn by an eye-witness.
"I went by the field of the slothful, and by the vineyard of the man void of understanding ; and lo, it was all grown over with thorns, and nettles had covered the face thereof, and the stone wall thereof was broken down."
Proverbs 24:30, 31
8. What lesson did the wise man learn as he noticed these things?
Then I saw and considered it well: I looked upon it, and received instruction."
Proverbs 24:32
9. Is our work for "the life that now is," closely united with that for the one to come?
"Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord."
Romans 12:11
10. What sentence is pronounced against the man who is unfaithful in God's work?
"Cursed be he that doeth the work of the Lord deceitfully."(Jeremiah 48:10) [margin, negligently]
11. In view of the reward to be given at Christ's appearing, what exhortation is given?
"Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot and blameless."
2 Peter 3:14
12. What blessed assurance is given such as follow this advice?
"Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things ye shall never fall; for so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ."
2 Peter 1:10, 11
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.
Work, for the night is coming
Under the sunset skies;
While their bright tints are glowing,
Work, for daylight flies.
Work till the last beam fadeth,—
Fadeth to shine no more;
Work while the night is darkening,
When man's work is o'er.
SYDNEY DYER
