Luke 5:5 And Simon answering said to him, Master, we have toiled all the night, and have taken nothing… " We have toiled all the night, and have taken nothing." This complaint is often heard nowadays, also. Although many poor people may assert, with perfect truth, that they have laboured hard, yet there are many others whose poverty is through their own fault. Some of the faulty occasions are the following. I. LAZINESS. Many show neither zeal nor industry in the discharge of the duties of their calling. Poverty is the necessary consequence. 1. According to the testimony of Scripture (Proverbs 18:9; Proverbs 21:5). 2. Reason and experience. How can he catch fishes who will not let down his net? II. LAVISHNESS. 1. Many dissipate their property through folly. (1) They have not learned how to save. (2) They do not live according to their means. (3) They attempt rash speculations, through greed of gold. 2. Through extravagance in food and dress (Proverbs 21:17; Proverbs 23:11). III. WANT OF FEAR OF GOD. 1. God deprives those who do not fear Him of His blessing. 2. He visits them with sickness, and all kinds of misfortune. (J. J. Haubs.) Parallel Verses KJV: And Simon answering said unto him, Master, we have toiled all the night, and have taken nothing: nevertheless at thy word I will let down the net. |
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