"The
profusion reigning everywhere gave birth to luxury and pride. Idleness
and riches make the heart hard that has never been oppressed by want or
burdened by sorrow.
The love of pleasure was fostered by wealth and
leisure, and the people gave themselves up to sensual indulgence.
“Behold,” says the prophet, “this was the iniquity of thy sister Sodom,
pride, fullness of bread, and abundance of idleness was in her and in
her daughters, neither did she strengthen the hand of the poor and
needy. And they were haughty, and committed abomination before Me:
therefore I took them away as I saw good.” Ezekiel 16:49, 50.
There is nothing more desired among men than riches and leisure, and
yet these gave birth to the sins that brought destruction upon the
cities of the plain.
*Idleness is the greatest curse that can fall
upon man, for vice and crime follow in its train.
It enfeebles the
mind,
perverts the understanding,
and debases the soul."
E.G.W.
