“All hard work brings a profit, but mere talk leads only to poverty.” (Proverbs 14:23 NIV)
Hard work brings profit. But few people want to put in the hard work. Staples sells an “Easy Button” for $8.87. The fact they are able to make a profit from a button such as this, tells you people like to take the easy way out. Staples is doing the hard work of marketing to a world who is looking for easy; they are making the profit. But life isn’t easy, No where in scripture will you find the promise of an easy life. You will find plenty of scriptures that require hard work:
“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters,” (Colossians 3:23)
“Anyone who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with their own hands, that they may have something to share with those in need.” (Ephesians 4:28 NIV)
“Those who work their land will have abundant food, but those who chase fantasies have no sense.” (Proverbs 12:11 NIV)
Hard work brings profit, there’s no easy way.
When I was young, my family mowed the grass in the cemetery for our church. My Dad would drive the riding lawn mower. My brother and I would use the push mower to go in between the tombstones. My Mom and older brother would trim with weed eaters. This is how I learned hard work, with my family. I was paid $20 for an entire afternoon’s worth of work, and I was ecstatic. Not only did I feel rich, but I felt pride in the work we had done together as a family.
I can’t remember not having chores. Saturday mornings were cleaning days. I had to dust and clean before I could go out and play. Every night my job was to set the table, and then do the dishes afterwards. My first paying job after the cemetery was cleaning for a neighbor, Dale Duncan. I would spend hours with her helping her with whatever chore she had for me that day. I can’t remember not working in my life. Hard work was instilled in me from an early age.
Hard work is not something to be feared, but rather embraced. When we set about a task, work at it with all of our heart for the Lord, we will be profitable. We will find satisfaction in the work we have done. We won’t waste our time, we’ll maximize it. We will feel God’s pleasure as we set about the task He has given us to do. Whether mowing a lawn, dusting a cabinet or washing dirty dishes, all of them can be done joyfully for the Lord. Hard work leads to profit, but mere talk ends in poverty.
Question of the Day:
What is God asking you to work hard at today?
Further Reading: Judges 19:1-20:48 NIV, John 3:22-4:3 NIV, Psalm 104:24-35 NIV, Proverbs 14:22-23 NIV
