Have Hand Strength, But No Heart- Strength.

HAVE HAND STRENGTH, BUT NO HEART- STRENGTH.

"Indeed, what profit is the strength of their hands to me? " (Job 30:2a) NKJV

"Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might, for in the grave, where you are going, there is neither working nor planning nor knowledge nor wisdom" ( Ecclesiastes 9:10).

The LORD God took the man (Adam) and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it (Genesis 2:15). In the garden, his work was fruitful and productive. God expects us to work. He gives us talents and abilities, and he requires that we work and use them.

Our natural strength should be developed for the benefit of ourselves and others; every mental power and ability, as well as our physical strength, is a gift from God that must be accounted for.

The strength of the hand is not to be hid in a napkin, nor to be put underground, but to be traded with, to some good increase. Some people have enough strength, but no good comes out of it. "Whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ" (Colossians 3:23-24).

There are various gifts of God in the church: "diversities of gifts, but the same spirit; and there are differences of administration; but the same LORD; and there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God, which works all in all" (1 Corinthians 12:4); "But the Manifestation of the Spirit is Given to Everyone to Profit Withall" (1 Corinthians 12:7). We are to profit with the gifts that God has given us, with the strength of our hands, with all the good abilities that God has given us.

Now as every man who has received the manifestation of the spirit has received it to this end, for profit to the church of God, so our portion of bodily gift is bestowed on us to profit withal. Therefore, let us not be slothful in business; be fervent in spirit; serve the Lord (Romans 12:11).

WHERE IS YOUR "HEART - STRENGTH"?

Strength is a trust, take heed that you are not found wanting in the use of it; the diligence of the hand is under a promise, "the diligent hand makes rich" (Proverbs 10:4).

Many people have enough strength, but they do no good with it; they are sluggards and are idle; their hands are in their pockets (warm in their gloves) but not warm at work. They have enough hand strength, but no heart-strength ("Wherefore is there a price in the hand of a fool to get wisdom, seeing he has no heart for it" (Proverbs 17:16)], "Their strength is to sit still" (Isaiah 30:7), though they are strong.

Man's great wickedness is his neglect of God's favor. He also has a lackadaisical attitude towards his own interests. He has no heart, no will, nor courage to improve his advantages. He has set his heart on other things, so that he has no heart for his duty or the great concerns of his soul. So why should a price be thrown away and lost on someone who is so undeserving of it?

Ephraim is called a "silly dove without a heart" (Hosea 7:11). He had a hand but no heart to act and do, either for God or for himself to purpose. He had no courage, no activity of spirit to the strength of his hand.

Brethren, where is your heart's strength? Is there wisdom in the use of your talents, gifts, and goodwill that God has given you? 

USE YOUR STRENGTH WITH GREAT WISDOM.

When you put your hand (the chief instrument of action) to the right use, great things are done by the hand. The strength of a young man profits little (Job 30:2a), if wisdom is not applied to the use of his strength. "Wisdom strengthens the wise more than ten mighty men who are in the city" (Ecclesiastes 7:19).

Though a man may have the strength of a giant, unless he has judgment and prudence, what is he good for? Surely it will be good for nothing. Strength without grace and holiness serves little, and without prudence it serves nothing.

Whatever you do, do it to the best of your ability. God does not expect you to do what you are unable to do, but he does expect you to do what you are capable of doing. Your very best might not be the same as someone else's best, but that is all that God asks for—your very best. As long as you are trying as hard as you can and really doing everything you can, God won't even be mad at you if you fail at something.