Keep up the good work
Lazy people who refuse to work are only killing themselves; all they do is think about what they would like to have. The righteous, however, can give, and give generously. Proverbs 21 : 25 - 26 (GNB) |
Our passage this week seems very relevant today, when you consider the ongoing debates made both nationally and by governments around the world on how to strike a fair balance between the needs of those on welfare alongside those in work.
There are two parts to this week's passage: firstly the writer highlights the importance of hard work, and secondly he shows the importance of generosity. As we will discover, in reality these are not two separate topics, in fact they are very much intertwined.
So let's start with laziness and hard work. Our passage this week quite clearly tells us that choosing to not pull your weight. Choosing not to work to the best of your ability and choosing to be lazy will only result in un-satisfaction and disaster.
The laziness that we are warned about does not stop at whether you are in employment or not (although this is clearly a factor). It is also much broader than this. It is about the attitude you should have for everything you do. We should strive to give our all and be enthusiastic in everything we do. Simply coasting, doing the bare minimum isn't good enough. It doesn't matter whether we are at work, at home, at church or at play.
Secondly we are told what our attitude to the 'fruits of our hard work' should be like. We are told to be generous, share what we have. It is very easy for us to think or say that 'I have earned this... it is mine'. However we are reminded on several occasions throughout the Bible that this is not really the case. In reality all we have is a gift from God, because of this we should share it with those in need.
Have a great week, and keep up your good work.
This week's song is My Everything by Owl City. |
Header image by: Eneas De Troya via Flickr