March 22,1997
Dear Br. Jacobson:
It is a common occurrence for men to work, bring home a pay check, hand it over to their wives, then spend the reminder of the evening in front of the television, their work completed for the day. Or perhaps we putter in the garage repairing an old car, go hunting with our buddies, spend time in the bar, attend the races, watch football, basketball, baseball, hockey, the Olympics, then yawn and announce that it is time to go to bed.
We fail to realize that God not only holds us accountable for
our time and talents but for improving our mind and abilities.
We are not here on this earth to amuse ourselves or while away
the hours in front of the television. All men who profess to be
Christians should earnestly endeavor to improve themselves, improve
their mind, their physical strength and abilities that we may
be useful to ourselves, our families, our community and our God.
99% of all men fail utterly to realize their obligation for self-improvement.
Indolence or idleness is a curse in American society. There is
far too much laziness among men, too many of us prefer to recline
away our life in a rocker or lawn chair, beer or lemonade in hand,
watching our sons or wives mowing the lawn.
I do not suggest that you are lazy or idle or fall into this trap
of indolence, but so many men are given to these practices that
it is virtually impossible to find an industrious man, bent on
improving himself.
There is a old saying that the Devil makes work for idyll hands.
When parents raise children, it is thought cruel or insensitive
to make them work around the house. I remember, as a child, the
work assignments Mother and Dad found for me to do. I had to wash
dishes in conjunction with my older sister, which I hated, mow
the lawn, which I liked, empty and burn the trash, and help Dad
remove the storm windows, and clean the basement or the garage.
Were my hands still idyll. Yes and Satan found work for them.
While I complained about washing the dishes and setting the table,
this light work load never hurt me, but listen to children today
complain about helping their parents about the house and you would
think we are a society of child abusers.
Christians should be noted for industriousness and profitable
activity. We generally have too much time to spend on selfish
pursuits, even as adults. Look around us, brother, and see others
with a need then attempt to fulfill it. Are there not enough widows
or handicapped people, needing repairs to their house, or cars
fixed, or yards mowed to keep us busy for a month of Sundays?
When left with nothing to do, rather then watch television, read
the sports section of the paper, the dedicated Christian will
look for someone to bless.
There are so many needs all around us, so many people to help
or encourage that we should never have a spare moment, aside from
the obligations and responsibilities for our families, which we
should never neglect while helping others. Christ requires that
we bless others as far as possible and keep ourselves busy with
useful labor and study.
While the Lord has not seen fit to bless me with the ability to
drive a car or a useful skill at carpentry, etc., I write letters
of encouragement to men which I do several hours every day. I
also spend time walking daily to improve my general health and
read books and periodicals to improve my mind. I also study the
Scriptures to familiarize myself with the word of God that I may
share its lessons with others. Thus, I keep so busy that Satan
finds it difficult to make work for my idyll hands.
The Lord loves you, dear brother. He places a supreme value upon
you and desires to bestow many blessings upon you that you may
bless others in return. Higher then our highest thought is God’s
ideal for us, Godliness or Godlikeness. We have the privilege
of being like God in character, nature, purposes, and activities.
He invites you to aim high in your life and reach unto perfection
of character and of every ability and thought that God has given
you. Your brother in Christ.
Allen A. Benson