Hi friends,
This week, I am thinking about my grandfather, as he is in the final stages of his life.
One of the virtues he embodied, more than anyone I’ve known, is hard work.
However, I don’t think I’ve ever heard a sermon on the importance of working hard.
Sometimes, sermons are so focused on getting right with God or experiencing inner peace that we miss out on the practical wisdom of the Scriptures.
For instance, here’s Proverbs 10:1-5:
Solomon’s proverbs:
A wise son brings joy to his father,
but a foolish son, heartache to his mother.
Ill-gotten gains do not profit anyone,
but righteousness rescues from death.
The LORD will not let the righteous go hungry,
but he denies the wicked what they crave.
Idle hands make one poor,
but diligent hands bring riches.
The son who gathers during summer is prudent;
the son who sleeps during harvest is disgraceful.
In these few short verses, Solomon illustrates his point through the power of contrast:
| Wisdom | Foolishness |
|---|---|
| Joy | Heartache |
| Righteousness | Wickedness |
| Not hungry | Denied cravings |
| Riches | Poverty |
| Prudence | Disgraceful |
Looking at the contrasts side-by-side, it’s obvious which life we want!
(Bruce Waltke notes that distinctive sound patterns and a careful arrangement of the word order further amplify the contrasts in the Hebrew text).
But what is it that separates the wise and the foolish?
In this passage, the wise son (or daughter) works hard, makes a profit, shares with others, and avoids cutting corners.
God teaches his people to work hard.
Importantly, this wisdom is not “free-flowing” outside any theological reference. If we listen closely, we see that the value of hard work is placed in the context of God’s love, care, and provision.
In the Proverbs, it is God who is watching over the work, evaluating our character, and providing the harvest.
- Instead of desperation, there is gratitude.
- Instead of a lonely striving, there is a partnership with God.
- Instead of a selfish, me-first mentality, the son (or daughter) is concerned for the needs of their aging parents.
As I think about my granddad’s example, his hard work is a blessing.
Because he dedicated himself to his career, he could provide for his children, grandchildren, and even his great-grandchildren to attend college. His labor allowed us to rest together at the beach and the lake. His hard work brought a family close together.
Do you work hard because you are a Christian?
-
By dedicating ourselves to our labor, we improve the lives of others: our boss, our co-workers, our employees, and our customers.
-
Through the fruit of our labor, we can take responsibility for ourselves, care for our parents, and bless our children.
-
In hard work, we honor our Creator and faithfully steward what he has entrusted to our care. A hard-working Christian reflects well on his God.
Of course, a wise person is aware that there are exceptions.
The Bible teaches us not only to work but to practice the Sabbath. Jesus encourages us not to idolize work and money - or live with anxiety - or define ourselves by our career our wealth - but to trust God for our daily needs. Nor did Jesus blame the poor, the disabled, or the weak for their circumstances; instead, he gave of himself to meet their needs. And the Scriptures show us there is a wide range of legitimate vocations, from writers of poetry to shepherds of sheep.
If you feel I’ve missed another way we need to think about hard work with wisdom, please share it! This is just a conversation starter.
I’d like to hear from you:
-
How has your faith motivated you to work hard?
-
Alternatively, how has hard work strengthened your faith in God?
-
What do you think of lazy people? How do you feel about your reaction to this question?
-
What’s one way these Proverbs motivate you to work hard?
Does this devotional prompt you to ask a question or share your own reflection? Please create a free account, share a reflection, or ask a question.