Today’s Devotion
Topic: The Benefits of Hard Work
Text: Proverbs 14: 23
All hard work brings a profit, but mere talk leads only to poverty. Amen
Everyone has plans, dreams and visions. At the conceptual level, they seem perfect. The various aspects of the plan actually synchronize so well with each other and cast no shadow of uncertainty about the benefits to gain should we decide to implement. We get excited about that.
One man therefore decides to keep planning and adds more and more ideas to the initial plan. He assures all family and friends to relax – he has the perfect plan to lift them out of poverty. They look to him in anticipation and he looks into his fantasy for satisfaction. In the end, he does nothing except to talk about the plan and so gets less than a few. He is very DISAPPOINTED. He blames the world for being unfair.
Another man also plans and gets excited about the possibilities he sees in a particular area of interest. He inquires about it, seeks knowledge about what he plans to do so he can put the initial plan (fantasy) into a more realistic perspective based on the knowledge acquired. He then begins small… WORKING HARD EVERYDAY to see if God will rain over his efforts and bless the works his hands. IT MAY TAKE A WHILE, AND COST HIM MORE THAN HE ANTICIPATED BUT IN THE END, HE IS NEVER DISAPPOINTED.
You see, when God made the earth and its people, He blessed them and imparted into creation the ability to multiply. Those who put themselves to task, sacrificing today’s pleasure for hard work are rewarded with gains (or profit). Others, who keep talking about how viable the plan is, yet do nothing about it, gain nothing and blame the world for that.
So “go to the ant, you sluggard; consider its ways and be wise! 7 It has no commander, no overseer or ruler, 8 yet it stores its provisions in summer and gathers its food at harvest. 9 How long will you lie there, you sluggard? When will you get up from your sleep? 10 A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest—11 and poverty will come on you like a thief and scarcity like an armed man.” (Proverbs 6: 6- 11)
Rise up with a positive attitude towards life. You can do all things through Christ. Step out in faith and put yourself to hard work. God will bless the works of your hands – you will definitely get more than a few. Begin to pray now. Commit your ways to the Lord, trust in Him and He will do it.
The Y Outreach Network wishes all workers a wonderful Labor Day.
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