At the very least, authorities in seventeenth century Virginia believed it was a temptation (my bold):

The Governor, counsell and Burgesses of this present Grand Assembly haveing maturely weighed and considered the extreame prejudice which will necessarily ensue to the collony by deserting of plantations which are now seated, or since the 20th of November last have been seated, have enacted, And by the authoritye of the same be it enacted, that it shall not be lawfull for any person holding land by patent or who soe hat held land since the 20th of November last, voluntarily to leave the same vpon penaltie of fforfeiture thereof, so as it may be lawfull for any person whatsoever to take vp the same by patent as land deserted, And if any lessee shall in like sorte voluntarily relinquish land leased to him, it shall be lawfull for any person to enter vpon the same and have the benefitt thereof vnles the patentee will seate or cause the same to be seated, provided that he that hath the patent of the land so deserted by the proprietor, or enters vpon any leased lands, do forthwith seat the same with a competent number of men, arms and amunition.

And it is further enacted by the authoritie aforesaid, That it shall not be lawfull for any person so deserting his plantation as afore said to burne any necessary houseing that are scituated therevpon, but shall receive so many nailes as may be computed by 2 indifferent men were expended bout the building thereof for full satisfaction, reservinge to the King all such rent as did accrew by vertue of the former grants or planting of the same from the expiration of the first seaven years.