“I would have you without carefulness..…” – 1 Corinthians 7:32
Anxiety, or carefulness, is very injurious; it divides the heart, distracts the mind, chokes the word, leads to distrust, and destroys our peace. It is inconsistent with our profession; we have resigned all into the hands of the Lord, and should leave all to His blessing.
We should do everything as for the Lord, and consider our families, our property, and our business, as the Lord’s; so should we be holy and enjoy peace. Anxiety, or inordinate care, dishonours God; it reflects upon His sufficiency to supply all–upon His omniscience to discover all–upon His authority and ability to manage all–upon His mercy, bounty, and liberality, as if He would leave us to want–upon His veracity, fidelity, and immutability, as though His word may be forfeited or His promise broken. Carefulness injures our own souls – it is opposed to contentment and resignation – it nourishes impatience and unbelief – it hinders our usefulness, and hardens our hearts – it cuts off supplies, and procures the rod and the frown.
We should therefore aim to be without carefulness, for the Lord careth for us.–James Smith, 1840
How sweet to have our portion there,
Where sorrow never comes, nor care,
And nothing will remove!
We then may hear without a sigh,
The world’s destruction to be nigh –
Our treasure is above
