Not slothful in business
Our Lord does not here require that we should be utterly without thought, even touching the concerns of this life. A giddy, careless temper is at the farthest remove from the whole religion of Jesus Christ. Neither does he require us to be slothful in business, to be slack and dilatory in it. This likewise is contrary to the whole spirit and genius of his religion. A Christian abhors sloth as much as drunkenness and flees from idleness as he does from adultery. He well knows that there is one kind of thought and care with which God is well pleased, which is absolutely needful for the due performance of those outward works to which the providence of God has called him.
1771 text
16. Our Lord does not here require, that we should be utterly without thought, even touching the concerns of this life. A giddy, careless temper is at the farthest remove from the whole religion of Jesus Christ. Neither does he require us to be slothful in business, to be slack and dilatory therein. This likewise is contrary to the whole spirit and genius of his religion. A Christian abhors sloth as much as drunkenness, and flees from idleness as he does from adultery. He well knows, that there is one kind of thought and care, with which God is well-pleased; which is absolutely needful for the due performance of those outward works, unto which the providence of God has called him.
About this text
Rendered in modern English, to be read and heard. Open the 1771 text under each part to check the claims and the scripture.
Rendered in modern English. The 1771 panel is his own Pine printing of the Works. It is public domain.
Catalogue & scope
Sermon 29 in the 1771 Works. Matthew 6:24-34.
This is an AI-assisted study translation. Source fidelity and completeness have not been independently certified. It is not a complete critical edition.