PROVERBS 10: 1-5
A GOOD WORD FOR THE DILIGENT
[Proverbs 6:6-11]
The subscription stated as "The Proverbs of Solomon" informs us that we have come to a new portion of the book. The first nine chapters have set forth beautifully in what has been mainly connected discourse concerning the nature and value of heavenly wisdom in contrast to the fascinations of sinful folly. They exhorted us to choose wisdom and avoid folly. This next portion of the book, encompassing chapters 10-15, contains194 sayings [375 through 22:16]. The development of thought is usually limited to two lines or one verse. Though they continue contrasting the righteous with the wicked, the wise and the foolish, their conduct and their reward, they are for the most part unconnected sentences, of remarkable profound thought, and acute observation expressed in contrast or illustrative form.
The frequent change of subject from one verse to another is probably intentional to force readers to grapple with and mediate on the thoughts in one verse before moving on to the next. However occasionally two or more consecutive verses are linked by a common subject. Chapter ten, verses 4 and 5 are an example.
The words diligence and industry do not carry as positive a connotation in our society as they once did. But the Bible exalts those that work over the "leisure-holics," and those who work with diligence over those who work with negligence (CIT).
I. THE VALUE OF WORK, [Industry Verses Idleness].
II. THE VITALITY FOR WORK, [Opportunities Seized Verses Neglected].
III. THE VICTORY FROM WORK, [Prosperity Verses Lack].
Some people bring unhappiness on themselves for instance by choosing "ill-gotten treasures" as in verse 2 [(1:19; 28:16; Micah 6:10, gained unjustly by theft or deceit (Prov. 16:8)]. They think the end justifies the means. [Which raises the question, "Does the way you earn your money affect you and what you do with it?"] God's principles for right living bring lasting happiness because they guide us into long-term right behavior in spite of our ever changing feelings.
These statements are not intended to be universally applied to all people in every situation. For example, some good people do go hungry. Rather, they are intended to communicate the general truth that the life of the person who seeks God is better in the long run than the life of the wicked person - a life that leads to ruin. These statements are not ironclad promises, but general truths. [In addition, proverbs like this one assume a just government that cares for the poor and needy - the kind of government Israel was intended to have (see Deuteronomy 24:17-22). A corrupt government often thwarts the plans of righteous men and women.]
In verse 3 is a promise that if you live a righteous life, God is going to take care of you (Lk. 12:27-28). It moves the question from, "Will God take care of me?" and focuses it instead on, "Am I righteous?"
Now the value of work or industry verse idleness. Verse 4 states that laziness is a cause of poverty and diligence brings profit. "Poor is he who works with a negligent hand, But the hand of the diligent makes rich."
Everyday observations confirms the fact that a slack or negligent hand impoverishes (19:15;20:4; 23:21; 30:30-34; Eccles. 10:18) and the hand of the diligent enriches (13:3, 21:5). If a person refuses to work, or works negligently, he or she will be poor (a word used often in Prov.), whereas, a hard worker is eventually rewarded. The hand of the industrious is active, prompt, skillful and persevering. The hand of idleness is slack, loose, unskilled and inapt. Work braces muscles and enlivens the limbs for application of strength. Indolence slackens the limbs and debilitates the body.
The diligent understand the value of work. Now some workaholics do over-do it. One Manhattan executive managed to get in a 27-hour work day. How? He picked up three extra hours on a flight from Manhattan to California. More dangerous than those who overdo it though are those who have lost sight of the value of work altogether.
A PSYCHOLOGIST once hired a man to work in his woodpile. He instructed him not to chop wood. Instead, he was simply to strike a log with the back of an ax. He would be paid the same as he would have received for chopping the wood. In a short time the man quit. He said that he couldn't stand that sort of job any longer-he had to see the chips fly! The industrious have to see the chips fly! They understand the value of work.
II. VITALITY FOR WORK. Opportunities Seized Verses Neglected
Verse 5 gives us a forceful example of diligence and of slothfulness. "He who gathers in summer is a son who acts wisely, But he who sleeps in harvest is a son who acts shamefully.
The soul of a gather seizes opportunities, the shameful neglects them. One gathers in summer; the other sleeps in harvest. One uses wisdom and forethought, the other is foolish and shortsighted. The industrious man not only watches for opportunities, He makes them. He does each seasons work, not leaving for tomorrow what should be done today. He does more than duty demands. [Wise is from the verb al meaning "to be prudent or to have sound judgment"; 1:3; 16:20.]
The diligent also unleash a vitality for work. His energy expands as he expends it. By skillful diligence he makes the tide of circumstances flow favorably for him. His hard effort makes the winds of destiny blow toward a good destination. In other words, when you understand the value of work and commit yourself unwaveringly to it, you stimulate your energy level to new heights and bring good situations to yourself and bring yourself to good opportunities.
The harvest should motivate us to bring it. Sleeping through harvest is the height of foolishness. In John 4:35, Jesus said, "Don't say there are four months and then comes the harvest. Lift up your eyes and see that the fields are white to harvest already." It's time to harvest, gang. The good seed has been planted and watered. People are ready to hear the gospel.
"I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ," Paul declared. "For it is the power of God to salvation to every man who believes" (Romans 1:16). Don't be ashamed of the gospel—the powerfully good news that Jesus died on the Cross and rose again and that He'll come into the heart of any who ask Him. How long has it been since you've led someone to Jesus?
III. VICTORY FROM WORK. Prosperity Verses Ruin
The destiny of one is prosperity and the other is lack. It says that the hand of the diligent enriches. The industrious, victorious in work, gets to enjoy the fruit of his labor. The Lord gives the fruit of the earth not to those who wish but to those who work, not to negligence but to diligent energy and perseverance.
The negligent has no fruits from his labor to enjoy. Idleness brings poverty and shame. His life which might have been blessed because of his slack hand, brings disgrace (or at least as it is seen by those who care about what he or she made of the person's life).
Francis Voltaire declared that "work frees us from three great evils in life-boredom, vice and need" [Candide, 1759. He also said "indolence is sweet, but its consequences are bitter."] That is still true today. Those who work hard will enjoy the fruit of their labor.
This rule applies to business life and to concerns for the soul alike. Diligence is necessary to lay up treasures either within or beyond the reach of rust. For both are God's laws. Not only will the earth bring forth thorns unless it is cultivated continuously, so does the soul of man. The curse of sin can be turned into a blessing by diligence.
Because of the fall God made hard work the way of life and this is a blessing. If all men had plenty without labor the world would not be fit for living. The fallen idle if left to pursue their own devices would constantly devise, instigate and consummate their evil desires. Idle hands have always been the devil's workshop. Thus the necessity of labor has become a blessing to man. It is a blessing that diligent application is necessary to succeed rather than if success came independent of care and toil.
This same diligence is necessary to progress in holiness, sanctification, or Christian maturity is proclaimed in the Word of God and by the experience of His people. The lovely plant of grace does not thrive in the sluggard's gardener or the negligent's soul. Holiness is difficult and the days are evil. He who would gain godliness must put his heart and soul into the task. But the promise here and elsewhere is that he or she who puts his or her soul into the tasks will grow rich.
In CONCLUSION
When all accounts are closed, he who is rich in the riches of faith, hope and love will have accumulated the greatest riches life has to offer (Mt. 6:20-21; 1 Cor. 13: ).
Everyday has 24 hours filled with opportunities to grow, serve, and be productive. Yet it is so easy to waste time, letting life slip from our grasp. Refuse to be a lazy person, sleeping or frittering away the hours meant for productive work. See time as God's gift and seize your opportunities to live diligently for Him.
Remember the same diligences necessary to make an earthy garden productive is required to bring spiritual fruitfulness to your soul.
