(with Romans 12:8; 1 Samuel 2:30)
I. The Bible always recognises a basis of character which is found in the natural endowments of a man. The Bible does not glorify men because of beauty and strength, because of great mental parts, powers of reason or imagination; but it never hesitates to speak of these as parts of the perfectness of life, as conditions and qualities which by proper use and right direction may be turned to the good of men and the glory of God.
II. According to the teaching of the Bible, there must be the diligent use of these natural powers. Simply for man to possess certain capacities and faculties, physical and mental, is not sufficient. He has to discipline and practise, develop and perfect, them. The stigma of folly and the terror of ruin alike are declared against that man who is careless and uncertain, who heeds not the opportunities which are presented to him, and lets the precious moments of life fly by while his powers are undisciplined and his God is unserved.
III. The diligence of life must, according to the Scripture ideal, be accompanied by the virtues and purities of a moral self-restraint.
IV. The ideal man of the Scriptures is to be inspired by a sense of the Divine presence and power.
L. D. Bevan, Christian World Pulpit,vol. xxiii., p. 168.
References: Proverbs 22:29, Preacher's Monthly,vol. ii., p. 468. Proverbs 23:1-3. W. Arnot, Laws from Heaven,2nd series, p. 237. Proverbs 23:1-11. R. Wardlaw, Lectures on Proverbs,vol. iii., p. 70.