Proverbs 14:23 says “All hard work brings a profit, but mere talk leads only to poverty.” This proverb was written by King Solomon, the king who was gifted with wisdom and riches yet he teaches about hard work.
Consider a person who dreams of becoming rich but complains about the kind of work he/she has or complains about the salary that he/she is earning. It contradicts to what the Bible says in Colossians 3:23-24 “Whatever you do, work at it with your whole being, for the Lord and not for men, because you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as your reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.”
“He who is faithful in what is least is faithful also in much;” (Luke 16:10a) If we complain about the work that we have now, how can we handle a bigger responsibility later on? If we complain about the minimum wage pay that we have now, how assured are we that we won’t complain about a higher salary later on?
However, if we are thankful with what have been given now and work at it with all of our hearts, working hard for the Lord and not for men, Proverbs 14:23 says “it will bring profit..”
Mere talk leads only to poverty. Dreaming or aspiring or having an ambition is never wrong but dreaming without action leads you nowhere. If you have a dream, you have to work at achieving it. Seek wisdom on how to go about it, find the right resources, be faithful at what you do and start working. Just talking about your dream without doing anything will not give you any result.
Consider a person who spends time boasting about what he can do and achieve yet doesn’t do anything at all…the verse we read says “it leads only to poverty.
Laziness does one no good. No matter what you have now if you do not do anything worthwhile, nothing will happen. Proverbs 24:30-34 tells a story about a lazy farm owner: “I passed by the field of a sluggard, by the vineyard of a man lacking sense, and behold, it was all overgrown with thorns; the ground was covered with nettles, and its stone wall was broken down. Then I saw and considered it; I looked and received instruction. A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest, and poverty will come upon you like a robber, and want like an armed man.”
A little time spent on idleness is a lot of waste. Another similar illustration in the book of proverbs is a story about an ant “Take a lesson from the ants, you lazybones. Learn from their ways and become wise! Though they have no prince or governor or ruler to make them work, they labor hard all summer, gathering food for the winter. But you, lazybones, how long will you sleep? When will you wake up? A little extra sleep, a little more slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest—then poverty will pounce on you like a bandit; scarcity will attack you like an armed robber.” (Proverbs 6:6-11)
The Bible teaches us not to be lazy, not to be idle because our conduct is being rewarded. "I the LORD search the heart and examine the mind, to reward each person according to their conduct, according to what their deeds deserve." (Jeremiah 17:10) Hard work has its reward, laziness and idleness have their consequences.
Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is. (Ephesians 5:15-17) Being wise is one factor to get through now when the days are evil. Knowing God’s will for your life is the road map to success.
Conclusion:
1. Laziness leads us to nowhere.
2. Hard work brings profit.
3. Our conduct shall be rewarded.
4. Be wise and understand what the Lord’s will is for you.
Be thankful for what you have now, give your best in everything you do, work with all of your heart as working for the Lord and not for men.
I believe that God will reward your efforts with success.
