Industry in Religion
G. Cubitt. Proverbs 14:23 In all labor there is profit: but the talk of the lips tends only to penury. I. THE USELESSNESS OF A RELIGION WHICH IS MERELY VERBAL. 1. Do not misunderstand this. Gift of speech is from God. He is to be obeyed and honoured by it. Religion is to be verbal. Confess Christ. Exhort one another. Rebuke sin. Sing psalms and hymns. By our words we shall be justified or condemned. 2. But a merely verbal religion is useless. We may call Christ, Master and Lord, and disobey Him. We may dispute on religious subjects, and be without religion itself. II. THE NECESSITY AND ADVANTAGE OF PRACTICAL INDUSTRY IN RELIGION. 1. The Bible often speaks of spiritual "labour." 2. "In all" such "labour there is profit." The kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force. Resist the devil, and he shall flee from you.God is not unrighteous to forget your work of faith and labour of love. 1. Your present interest calls you to it. There is a gathering before the final harvest; and they who sow plenteously shall gather plenteously. 2. Can you be active in His service who has done so great things for you? 3. Nor forget the punishment threatened to apostasy. 4. Keep in mind the reward promised. 5. Be solemnly impressed with the greatness of the work, and the brevity and uncertainty of time. (G. Cubitt.) Parallel Verses KJV: In all labour there is profit: but the talk of the lips tendeth only to penury. WEB: In all hard work there is profit, but the talk of the lips leads only to poverty.