How then must we live
Above all, do not make the care of future things a pretense for neglecting present duty. This is the most fatal way of taking thought for tomorrow. And how common is it among men? Many, if we exhort them to keep a conscience void of offense (Acts 24:16), to abstain from what they are convinced is evil, do not scruple to reply: How then must we live? Must we not take care of ourselves and of our families? And this they imagine to be a sufficient reason for continuing in known, willful sin. They say, and perhaps think, they would serve God now, were it not that they should by and by lose their bread. They would prepare for eternity, but they are afraid of wanting the necessaries of life. So they serve the devil for a morsel of bread. They rush into hell for fear of want. They throw away their poor souls, lest they should some time or other fall short of what is needful for their bodies.
1771 text
25. Above all, do not make the care of future things, a pretence for neglecting present duty. This is the most fatal way of taking thought for the morrow. And how common is it among men? Many, if we exhort them to keep a conscience void of offence, to abstain from what they are convinced is evil, do not scruple to reply, “How then must we live? Must we not take care of ourselves and of our families?” And this they imagine to be a sufficient reason, for continuing in known, wilful sin. They say, and perhaps think, they would serve God now, were it not that they should by and by lose their bread. They would prepare for eternity; but they are afraid of wanting the necessaries of life. So they serve the devil for a morsel of bread: they rush into hell, for fear of want; they throw away their poor souls, lest they should some time or other fall short, of what is needful for their bodies.
About this text
Rendered in modern English, to be read and heard. Open the 1771 text under each part to check the claims and the scripture.
Rendered in modern English. The 1771 panel is his own Pine printing of the Works. It is public domain.
Catalogue & scope
Sermon 29 in the 1771 Works. Matthew 6:24-34.
This is an AI-assisted study translation. Source fidelity and completeness have not been independently certified. It is not a complete critical edition.