“A slack hand causes poverty, but the hand of the diligent makes rich.” Proverbs 10:4 (ESV)
It’s Monday morning. As the old commercial said, “It’s time to make the doughnuts!” For most in our culture, Monday marks the beginning of the work week. While it is easy to want to hit the snooze button one more time or to call out sick (for a “mental health day”), sometimes the hardest thing is the best thing. While rest is good and proper (see yesterday’s post), you can get too much of a good thing. The Bible contains a section on wisdom called Proverbs. One particular proverb warns against having a “slack hand.” Having a slack hand was about as good as having a slack bow, if left neglected and uncared for, it would be useless in battle. So neglecting work, (i.e., laziness) according to this proverb leads to poverty. I read an articletoday that for the second month in a row in the United States there are more available jobs than there are job seekers available. Right now, if you want to work you stand a pretty high chance of getting a job.
The “slack hand” is contrasted with the “hand of the diligent.” This is the person who is not afraid to work, who is ready and willing to work. The diligent brings pride to his or her work and workplace. The diligent seeks the to do the best job with the best attitude. The diligent seeks to repeat this day after day, week after week. The proverb commends that the hand of the diligent leads to wealth. Even if inherited or even if you happened to win the lottery wealth does not happen or remain by default. In fact, many people who come into a lot of money in a short amount of time find ways to spend it and deplete it just as fast! The only people making money off of get-rich-quick scams are the scammers, and they are working hard at it.
As someone who in this season is in a position to hire people, 90% of getting and keeping a job is showing up. So it’s Monday morning. It’s time to make the doughnuts. It’s time to get to work! If you are currently unemployed your job is to get a job! What do you need to do to make that happen?
Questions to Ponder:
How diligent am I in my job? Am I giving my best effort and attitude?
How am I encouraging my family or coworkers in their job (or studies)?
What can I do to make my workplace a better place?