Idleness
B. Beddome. Matthew 20:6 And about the eleventh hour he went out, and found others standing idle, and said to them, Why stand you here all the day idle? Idleness was one of the sins of Sodom, and it is often the forerunner of temporal and eternal ruin. No evil is more common, though none is more dangerous. I. To whom the charge of idleness is applicable. 1. It will in a certain sense apply to all unconverted men, who with respect to the highest interests of life, may be said to be always idle. a. They are content to do nothing at all for God; nothing that He approves, nothing that He will accept, b. They do nothing for their own souls, any more than for the glory of God. c. They do nothing for their generation, according to the will of God. d. They do nothing to any good purpose, or that will turn to account another day. 2. It will apply in too many instances, even to Christians themselves, of whom there are but few who can be applauded for their diligence and fidelity. II. Point out the inexcusableness of such conduct. 1. The talents committed to our trust require to be occupied. and must be finally accounted for. 2. The want of a capacity to labour in the Lord's vineyard cannot be pleaded with success. 3. We are placed in a situation where our services are expected and required. 4. We have lost too much time already. (B. Beddome.) Parallel Verses KJV: And about the eleventh hour he went out, and found others standing idle, and saith unto them, Why stand ye here all the day idle? WEB: About the eleventh hour he went out, and found others standing idle. He said to them, 'Why do you stand here all day idle?'