Testimony Treasures, Volume 2 - Ellen G. White

Chapter 7
Diligence in Business
"Seest thou a man diligent in his business? he shall stand before kings;
he shall not stand before mean men." Proverbs 22:29. "He becometh poor
that dealeth with a slack hand: but the hand of the diligent maketh rich."
Proverbs 10:4. "Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in
honor preferring one another; not slothful in business; fervent in spirit;
serving the Lord." Romans 12:10, 11.
The many admonitions to diligence found in both the Old and the New
Testament plainly indicate the intimate relation existing between our habits
of life and our religious feelings and practices. The human mind and body
are so constituted that plenty of exercise is necessary in order to a proper
development of all the faculties.
While many are too much engaged in worldly business, others go to the
opposite extreme and do not labor sufficiently to support themselves or those
dependent upon them. Brother ----- is one of this class. While he occupies
the position of house band to his family he is not this in reality. The heaviest
responsibilities and burdens he allows to rest upon his wife, while he
indulges in careless indolence or busies himself about small matters that tell
little for the support of his family. He will sit for hours and chat with his sons
or his neighbors upon matters of no great consequence. He takes things easy
and enjoys himself while the wife and mother does the work which must be
done to prepare food to eat and clothes to wear.
This brother is a poor man and always will be a burden to society unless
he asserts his God-given privilege and becomes a man. Anyone can find
work of some kind to do if he really desires it; but if he is careless and
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