The soul of the diligent is richly supplied. – Proverbs 13:4
You would have thought that being in the Garden of Eden – Paradise – that if there was any job to do at all, it would be a “cushy” one, right? No, not really. God made Adam and immediately told him that he would have dominion over all the earth and its inhabitants. That was no small thing. He was to care for all living creatures, as well as the plants and trees from which he was to get his food.
The writer of Proverbs (chapter 13) indicates that man should not be lazy. He compared the industrious man and the sluggard to righteousness and wickedness. The sluggard craves what the working man has – and wants it without extending any effort. In fact, his constant desiring, yet getting nothing, can be more wearisome than actually doing the work… and it can lead to sinful actions; he will seek the reward of the diligent without the toil. On the other hand, the industrious person, the one who is hardworking – faithful to his work – will be richly supplied. His attitude will be one seeking what is good, speaking truth, and living in obedience to the Lord.
There are lessons to be learned from one of God’s smallest creatures, the seemingly insignificant ant. Its individual effort could shame a man to activity and is worthy of imitation, never putting off for tomorrow what it can do today. From the ant to the Savior… God’s desire to save man from sin caused Jesus to never waiver from the mission He was sent to accomplish (Romans 8:32).
Work hard. Pray for those working diligently on your behalf in Congress. Then give thanks today for the Lord’s many gifts to you and to this nation.
Today’s Verse: Proverbs 13:4
The soul of the sluggard craves and gets nothing,
while the soul of the diligent is richly supplied.
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Recommended for further reading: 2 Thessalonians 3:6-15
Now we command you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you keep away from any brother who is walking in idleness and not in accord with the tradition that you received from us. 7 For you yourselves know how you ought to imitate us, because we were not idle when we were with you, 8 nor did we eat anyone’s bread without paying for it, but with toil and labor we worked night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you. 9 It was not because we do not have that right, but to give you in ourselves an example to imitate. 10 For even when we were with you, we would give you this command: If anyone is not willing to work, let him not eat. 11 For we hear that some among you walk in idleness, not busy at work, but busybodies. 12 Now such persons we command and encourage in the Lord Jesus Christ to do their work quietly and to earn their own living.
13 As for you, brothers, do not grow weary in doing good. 14 If anyone does not obey what we say in this letter, take note of that person, and have nothing to do with him, that he may be ashamed. 15 Do not regard him as an enemy, but warn him as a brother.
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
