Question 86

Can it make our condition better?

No. For which of you can by taking thought can add one cubit to his stature,^b

And will it certainly make it worse?

Yes. All this availeth me nothing so long as I see Mordecai the Jew sitting in the king’s gate,^c

Is it a sin to undervalue present mercies?

Yes. As those did who despised the pleasant land,^d

Or to aggravate present afflictions?

Yes. As Hezekiah, who said, I reckoned till morning, that as a lion, so will he break all my bones,^e

Is a discontented spirit from Satan?

Yes. Yea hath God said ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden,^f

Is a brand of ignominy affixed to it?

Yes. These are murmurers, complainers,^g

And is a curse entailed upon it?

Yes. Let them wander up and down for meat, and grudge if they be not satisfied,^h

Is it a sin for the wicked to envy the just?

Yes. They shall see and be ashamed, for their envy at thy people,^j

Or for the just to envy the wicked?

Yes. Envy not the oppresser,^k

And is it a sin to envy for the sake of others?

Yes. Envyest thou for my sake?^l

And a great vexation?

Yes. For he that loveth silver shall not be satisfied with silver,ⁿ

Is it a hurt to our families?

Yes. He that is greedy of gain troubleth his own house,^o

And an injury to our neighbours?

Yes. Thus Ahab’s covetousness caused Naboth’s murder,^p

And above all an affront to God?

Yes. For it is he that maketh poor and maketh rich,^q

Is it a sin that rarely goes unpunished in this world?

Yes. For the iniquity of his covetousness I was wroth and smote him,^r

But will it be severely punished in the world to come?

Yes. For the covetous shall not inherit the kingdom of God,^s

Should we therefore strive against it?

Yes. Thou, O man of God, flee these things,^t

And pray against it?

Yes. Incline my heart unto thy testimonies and not to covetousness,^u

Or lawful enjoyments inordinately?

No. Labour not for the meat that perisheth,^w

Doth all sin begin in the desires of the heart?

Yes. For sinners walk in the way of their heart,^x

Should we therefore keep a constant watch over it?

Yes. Keep thine heart with all diligence, for out of it are the issues of life,^y