Let there be an earnest consideration of these words. Let none say, “That does not mean me; I am a Christian.” Who says this, yourself or He who reads the heart? The unfaithful steward had solemn responsibilities entrusted to him; before the world he appeared as a servant of Christ; but, oh, how deplorable for himself, and for all connected with him; he is an evil servant! He is imperiling his Lord’s goods. He is teaching souls to trample upon the holy law of God. He calls Christ, “My Lord.” But he says, “My Lord delayeth His coming.” He does not say that Christ will not come; he does not scoff at the idea of His second coming; but he tells the people that His coming is delayed. He is removing from the minds of others the conviction that the Lord is coming quickly. His influence leads men to presumptuous, careless delay. Thus they are off their watch and they echo the words of the unfaithful watcher; still others catch them up, and the evil spirit, and men are confirmed in their worldliness and stupor. Their course is downward, not upward; they are not looking for and hasting unto the day of God. Earthly passions, corrupt thoughts, take possession of the mind. {TM 237.2}

Lad der være en alvorlig overvejelse af disse ord. Lad ingen sige, "Det betyder intet for mig om jeg er kristen." Hvem siger så dette, dig selv eller ham der læser hjertet? Den utro tjener havde fået alvorlige ansvar betroet; for verden viste han sig som en Kristi tjener; men, oh, hvor er det sørgeligt for ham selv, og for alle der i forbindelse med ham; han er en ond tjener. Han bringer sin herres gods i fare. Han lærer sjæle at træde på Guds hellige lov. Han kalder Kristus »Min herre«. Men han siger, »Min herre lader vente på sig.« Han siger ikke at Kristus vil komme; han bespotter ikke den forstilling om hans (238) genkomst; men han fortæller folk at hans komme er udskudt. Han fjerner den overbevisning fra andres sind at Herren kommer snart. Hans indflydelse leder mennesker til overmodig, ligegyldig, udsættelse. Således er de ikke på deres vagt og de gengiver den utrofaste vagtmands ord; og endnu andre hører disse ord, men i deres onde ånd er mennesker indgroet i deres verdslighed og sløvhed. Deres kurs er nedadgående, ikke opadgående; de ser ikke efter og fremskynder Guds dag. Jordisk forbitrelse, og fordærvene tanker, tager besiddelse i sindet.