It is hazardous for a superior to be delinquent, since he holds the position of arbiter in everything. It is both injurious and detrimental for those under their charge when they are disobedient. It is especially perilous if, in addition, the one who is in a superior position is scandalous. Each one who shows in his own place a tireless zeal, fulfilling the apostle’s precept, in carefulness not slothful,^[1] merits praise for his promptness. But for negligence he deserves the opposite, that is, unhappiness and woe. For the prophet says, Cursed is the one who does the work of the Lord negligently.

BASIL THE GREAT: What condemnation, then, ought we to expect to fall on those who are frivolous and irresponsible in the management of goods that are already consecrated to the Lord? Are they not liable to the sentence of doom pronounced on the negligent, as it is written, Cursed is he who does the work of the Lord negligently?

I exhort and admonish you, dearly beloved, that whenever the priest prays at the altar or when the deacon intones the prayer in a loud voice, you devoutly bow your bodies as well as your hearts. I have carefully noted that when the deacon says the usual flectamus genua,^[1] most of the people frequently remain standing like straight columns. This is not at all proper or right for Christians who are praying in church, because the deacon does not pray for us from you. Since those words are addressed to you in particular and most of all to the negligent, it is just for you to devoutly obey them. Let that prayer become a remedy for those who obey it but evidence against those who do not, according to the words, Cursed is one who does the work of God carelessly. We also ought to fear and perfectly accomplish what the apostle said: Be attentive in prayer, being vigilant, and pray without ceasing. In all things give thanks.^{[2] [3]} GOD EMBRACES THE SINCERE SOUL. SULPITIUS SEVERUS [DUB.]: When you repeat a psalm, consider whose words you are repeating and delight yourself more with true contrition of soul than with the pleasantness of a thrilling voice. For God sets a higher value on the tears of one thus praising him than on the beauty of his voice; as the prophet says, Serve the Lord with fear, and rejoice with trembling.^[1] Now, where there is fear and trembling, there is no lifting up of the voice but humility of mind with lamentation and tears. Display diligence in all your doings; for it is written, Cursed is the one who carelessly performs the work of the Lord. Let grace grow in you with years; let righteousness increase with age; and let your faith appear the more perfect the older you become. ^[2]

Do not allow another to do the work that is rightly yours, so that the reward as well may not be taken from you and given to another and he be enriched with your wealth while you are put to shame. Perform the duties of your ministry decently and with care as if you were serving Christ, for cursed, says the prophet, is everyone who does the work of the Lord negligently. Fear, as if the eye of the Lord were on you, the perversity that arises from fastidiousness and contempt, even though the task in hand seems to you a menial one. The work of the ministry is an exalted work and leads to the kingdom of heaven.

Elsewhere, he expresses his condemnation more vividly: Depart from me, you cursed, into everlasting fire that was prepared for the devil and his angels.^[1] Then he alleges not the commission of any forbidden act but the omission of commended ones, saying, For I was hungry, and you gave me nothing to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave me nothing to drink,^[2] and so on. There are many passages like that that one might find to prove that not only are those who do wicked things worthy of death—for whom has been prepared the inextinguishable fire as well—but that along with these those are condemned who leave good works undone or who perform them negligently. For it is written, Cursed is every person who does the work of the Lord negligently.

Awake, lyre and harp. O psaltery, O harp, you were made and fashioned to give praise to God; awake my harp and give praise; why do you lie idle? O monk, you are standing there in body; why is your soul listless, why are you not chanting praises to the Lord? Cursed is one who is remiss in doing the Lord’s work. If you are a psaltery, if you are a harp, why are you so mute and not glorifying God? I will wake the dawn. There is not blessing and praising God in darkness but only in light. I am going to say something startling. Even if we arise in the nighttime, we are blessing God in light. For the Christian, it is never night; for the Christian, the sun of justice is ever rising.

If persons by no means ignorant of the medicinal art were to see a sore that required lancing and yet refused to lance it, certainly by their mere inactivity they would be guilty of a brother’s death. Let them see, then, in how great guilt they are involved who, knowing the sores of souls, neglect to cure them by the lancing of words. And so, it is well said through the prophet, Cursed is one who keeps back his sword from blood. For to keep back the sword from blood is to hold back the word of preaching from the killing of the carnal life. Of which sword it is said again, And my sword shall devour flesh.^[1]

Let heretics give heed. . . . His haughtiness and his arrogance and his pride and the loftiness of his heart I know, says the Lord, because his strength is not according to the loftiness of his boasts.

It is written that when Jeremiah caused the nations and kingdoms to drink the cup of wrath, he said concerning each one of the cities, that after they shall drink the cup, I will turn back the captivity of Elam, of Tyre, of Sidon, of the children of Ammon, and of Moab and of Edom.^[1]