Wise diligence when it's time to work is not only the godly choice, it’s the most productive choice for you and me.
I don't always agree with him, but Michael Jordan has become known to be one of the best basketball players of all time, and his work ethic is legendary. In college he was quoted saying that “Nobody will ever work as hard as I work.” He put in countless hours, practicing just as hard as he played because he wanted to be the best. At the University of North Carolina, he would continue to practice after the rest of the team would be ready to go, but he would push the best players to stay so that he could play against and learn from them. His work ethic inspired his teammates to put in the work as well.
Q: How has Michael Jordan’s work ethic been tied to his work-success?
Q: How can our work ethic glorify the Lord?
Q: What impact does our work ethic have on our witness?
Diligence is not only the godly choice, it’s a very smart choice and the most productive option.
A man will be satisfied with good by the fruit of [his] mouth, And the recompense of a man's hands will be rendered to him. Prov. 12:14 nkjv
The soul of a lazy [man] desires, and [has] nothing; But the soul of the diligent shall be made rich. Prov. 13:4 nkjv
The way of the lazy man is like a hedge of thorns, But the way of the upright is a highway. Prov. 15:19 nkjv
Q: Why do we as human beings get satisfaction from doing well at our work?
Q: How is the soul of the diligent richly supplied (not just financially or physically)?
One of the biggest misunderstandings some Christians have about the story of the Fall of humanity is that work is a curse of the fall. But when we look carefully at the story, we see that work existed as a good, God-ordained thing before the Fall (Genesis 2:15). As a result of the fall, the ground was cursed. Work became laborious and painful (Genesis 3:17–19). Adam and Eve’s work was central to God’s purpose in Genesis 1 and 2. Paradise wasn’t a place where they just laid around and plucked fruit off the trees. They worked the garden. As author and scholar Amy Sherman wrote, “Work is a gift from God. Work is something we were built for, something our loving Creator intends for our good.”
"Be diligent to come to me quickly.." 2 Timothy 4:9-19
Human beings are made in the image of God, and God is a diligent worker. He created a pattern for us of six days of work and one day of rest. All work is important to God, whether it’s “ministry” work or “secular” work. Really, all our work is ministry work because it’s all part of who God created us to be in the world. He expects us to work diligently at everything we do, working as for the Lord, no matter what our work entails (Colossians 3:23–24). Our work matters to God, whether that work is being a pastor or a plumber, a stay-at-home parent, a CEO or a janitor.
Like the story of creation, Proverbs tells us work is a good thing. It not only sustains us physically by providing money for us to live, it also gives us a sense of satisfaction and pride in ourselves (12:14). It’s good for our souls (13:4) because human beings always feel more fulfilled when they work hard to accomplish something, rather than just being given it. It's part of how we are wired. This doesn’t mean we should place our self-worth and identity in our career success or other achievements. Our identity and value are found in Christ alone. But there is nothing wrong with taking pride in the fruit of our diligent work. In fact, in Ecclesiastes, Solomon concluded that after his lifelong search for meaning, he saw that “there is nothing better than that a man should rejoice in his work” (Ecclesiastes 3:22; cf. 5:18-20; 9:10).
Q: In what ways does your work give you purpose and satisfaction? How can you find meaning in your work even if it’s not where you want to be right now?
Q: How can you see your work as a ministry of the kingdom, even if it’s a “secular” job?
Q: In what ways does the way you approach your work impact your witness?
Go to the ant, you sluggard! Consider her ways and be wise, which, having no captain, Overseer or ruler, Pro 6:6-7 NKJV
Provides her supplies in the summer, [And] gathers her food in the harvest. Pro 6:8 NKJV
How long will you slumber, O sluggard? When will you rise from your sleep? Pro 6:9 NKJV
A little sleep, a little slumber, A little folding of the hands to sleep-- [Pro 6:10 NKJV]
So shall your poverty come on you like a prowler, And your need like an armed man. Pro 6:11 NKJVHe who has a slack hand becomes poor, But the hand of the diligent makes rich. Pro 10:4 NKJV
He who gathers in summer [is] a wise son; He who sleeps in harvest [is] a son who causes shame. Pro 10:5 NKJV
He who tills his land will be satisfied with bread, But he who follows frivolity [is] devoid of understanding. Pro 12:11 NKJV
The lazy [man] does not roast what he took in hunting, But diligence [is] man's precious possession. Pro 12:27 NKJV
In all labor there is profit, But idle chatter [leads] only to poverty. Pro 14:23 NKJV
He who tills his land will have plenty of bread, But he who follows frivolity will have poverty enough! A faithful man will abound with blessings, But he who hastens to be rich will not go unpunished. Pro 28:19-20 NKJV
Note that Proverbs 12:11 and 28:19 are almost the same. Remember that this happens often in the Proverbs because repetition is a teaching tool.
Hard work leads to prosperity; laziness leads to poverty.
Q: What is the difference between “working your land” and “following worthless pursuits”? How do you see that played out today (like get-rich-quick schemes, etc.)?
Q: Give an example of how “mere talk” leads to poverty.
We could apply many proverbs to the way we work, even if they aren’t specifically about work. Proverbs are generally about growing in wisdom and character, which always contribute to your work in some way. Who you are as a person affects who you are as a worker. Our faith doesn’t just impact our Sunday mornings; it impacts our Monday through Fridays, too. The Proverbs teach that a good work ethic generally leads to success in the workplace. But more importantly, hard work and good ethics honor God.
Biblical wisdom is not about achieving worldly success, it’s about following God. Many of the proverbs speak directly about the workplace activities of the ancient Near East – agriculture, animal husbandry, clothing manufacture, trade, raising children, construction, and so on, but the lessons can be used for any type of work such as prudence, honesty, justice, kindness, grace, insight, money and relationships.
When it comes to this general principle, we want to be careful not to make the sweeping statement that “all poor people are lazy,” because a lot of circumstances can lead to poverty, some which are out of our control. As Solomon noted elsewhere in his wisdom literature, “I saw under the sun that the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, nor bread to the wise, nor riches to the intelligent, nor favor to those with knowledge, but time and chance happen to them all” (Ecclesiastes 9:11). Sometimes, the richest among us are actually the laziest. Think about those who do nothing but live off their family’s money while those living in poverty are actually working really hard to try to get themselves out of that situation. But generally speaking, as a principle, laziness leads to poverty and hard work to more financial security.
We’ve all experienced this in life, haven’t we? When we work hard and make wise choices with our money, we can find ourselves building wealth over time. And we’ve seen lazy friends or family not be as successful as the diligent workers we know. It’s a general principle of life we all want to teach our children so they will work hard and make wise choices as they get older. That’s why we encourage them to do their homework, keep their rooms clean, and give their all in their sports and extracurricular activities. They’re practicing diligence and seeing the payoff for themselves now, so that when they become adults, they’ll become productive members of society.
These verses compare “working your land” to “following worthless pursuits.” In the ancient world, most men taught their trade to their sons. If your father was a carpenter or a fisherman or a farmer, you became one, too. “Working your land” could be interpreted as “doing your job,” whether farming or fishing or anything else. It’s not saying we should all grow our own food. “Worthless pursuits” is an ancient way of talking about get-rich-quick schemes that don’t involve hard work. This is another form of laziness – trying to find the “easy way out” instead of just doing the work.
The point of these proverbs is that we should work diligently at whatever God has called us to do, not try to find the easy way out.
In the ancient world, a lazy son brought shame to the family (10:5). This isn’t a matter of comparing wealth but of valuing hard work. A hard-working teacher won’t make as much money as a hard-working lawyer, but both are doing what is right in God’s eyes. Nor is it a comparison of who is “more successful,” because success may look different for a teacher than for a lawyer. The character trait being commended is diligence and a good work ethic, no matter the financial result or “success” in the world’s eyes.
A good reputation matters--let's live right and let God concern Himself with that. It takes trust even when things look bad.
Paul challenges the Thessalonians in 1 Thessalonians 4:11-12, “.. to aspire to live quietly, and to mind your own affairs, and to work with your hands, as we instructed you, so that you may walk properly before outsiders and be dependent on no one.”
Notice that the believer's work directly impacts how the outsider (nonbeliever) views him, and by extension, how the outsider views the Lord. Seeking to live a life of ease and live off of the spoils of others’ hard work negatively impacts our testimony and mischaracterizes the Kingdom.
If you faint in the day of adversity, Your strength is small. Pro 24:10 NKJV
Even the youths shall faint and be weary, And the young men shall utterly fall, Isa 40:30 NKJV
But those who wait on the LORD Shall renew [their] strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not be weary, They shall walk and not faint. Isa 40:31 NKJV
I would comfort myself in sorrow; My heart [is] faint in me. Jer 8:18 NKJV
And lest your heart faint, And you fear for the rumor that [will be] heard in the land (A rumor will come [one] year, And after that, in [another] year A rumor [will come], And violence in the land, Ruler against ruler), Jer 51:46 NKJV
"Let all their wickedness come before You, And do to them as You have done to me For all my transgressions; For my sighs [are] many, And my heart [is] faint." Lam 1:22 NKJV
Because of this our heart is faint; Because of these things our eyes grow dim; Lam 5:17 NKJV
"In that day the fair virgins And strong young men Shall faint from thirst. Amo 8:13 NKJV
"And if I send them away hungry to their own houses, they will faint on the way; for some of them have come from afar." Mrk 8:3 NKJV
As vinegar to the teeth and smoke to the eyes, So [is] the lazy [man] to those who send him. Pro 10:26 NKJV
The hand of the diligent will rule, But the lazy [man] will be put to forced labor. Pro 12:24 NKJV
The lazy [man] does not roast what he took in hunting, But diligence is man's precious possession. Pro 12:27 NKJV
The soul of a lazy man desires, and has nothing; But the soul of the diligent shall be made rich. Pro 13:4 NKJV
The way of the lazy [man is] like a hedge of thorns, But the way of the upright [is] a highway. Pro 15:19 NKJV
A lazy [man] buries his hand in the bowl, And will not so much as bring it to his mouth again. Pro 19:24 NKJV
The lazy [man] will not plow because of winter; He will beg during harvest and [have] nothing. Pro 20:4 NKJV
The desire of the lazy [man] kills him, For his hands refuse to labor. Pro 21:25 NKJV
The lazy [man] says, "[There is] a lion outside! I shall be slain in the streets!" Pro 22:13 NKJV
I went by the field of the lazy [man], And by the vineyard of the man devoid of understanding; Pro 24:30 NKJV
The lazy [man] says, "[There is] a lion in the road! A fierce lion [is] in the streets!" Pro 26:13 NKJV
[As] a door turns on its hinges, So [does] the lazy [man] on his bed. [Pro 26:14 NKJV
The lazy [man] buries his hand in the bowl; It wearies him to bring it back to his mouth. Pro 26:15 NKJV
The lazy [man is] wiser in his own eyes Than seven men who can answer sensibly. Pro 26:16 NKJV
"But his lord answered and said to him, 'You wicked and lazy servant, you knew that I reap where I have not sown, and gather where I have not scattered seed. Mat 25:26 NKJV
One of them, a prophet of their own, said, "Cretans [are] always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons." Tit 1:12 NKJV
Laziness casts [one] into a deep sleep, And an idle person will suffer hunger. Pro 19:15 NKJV
Because of laziness the building decays, And through idleness of hands the house leaks. Ecc 10:18 NKJV
Q: How has a strong work ethic helped you in your life?
Q: In what ways have you seen trying to take the easy way out not pay off? Q: What character qualities in workers help to advance the Kingdom?
Reread Proverbs 18:9; 22:29; 31:13–19, 27–29
Talking Point 3: Hard work opens doors for us and brings us honor.
Q: What do you think is significant about standing in the presence of kings in the ancient world? How can that translate to our world today?
Q: Why did the husband and children of the noble woman praise her?
In the ancient world, when someone was unusually good at his job and had gained a reputation for it, he may be brought before the king or even summoned to work in his court. Remember when Joseph was called in from the prison pit to the courts of Pharaoh to interpret his dreams (Genesis 41)? Or when Saul sent for the most skillful musician (David) to play for him to soothe his harmful spirit (1 Samuel 16)? Or when Solomon sent for the best bronze worker in the country, Hiram of Tyre, to do all the bronze work on his house (1 Kings 7)?
The king always sought out and hired the best musicians, the best artisans, the best prophets, the best administrators, the best cooks, the best of the best of every kind of job. Being called before the king was the ancient equivalent of rising to the very top in your field. Similar to becoming the CEO of your company, making five-star general, winning a Grammy, winning MVP of the World Series, or hitting #1 on the New York Times bestseller list.
In none of the examples above was the person called before the king because of anything but his skills and hard work. It wasn’t because of bribery or flattery or pedigree. They were all called before the king because they were the best of the best at their jobs. In fact, David was just a shepherd boy, the youngest of his family, when he was called to play for Saul, and Joseph was a prisoner when he was called before Pharaoh. The general principle is that it is the quality of your work that ultimately determines your career, not bribing or manipulating or backstabbing your way to the top. Yes, some people reach the top by using family connections, trading favors, or employing deceit. But in general (these are general principles, not guarantees), when you’re really good at what you do, people will recognize it, and you will rise to the top.
This means that the best way to success is working hard at honing your craft, whatever that is. Of course, you’ll have to network and do other things to advance in your career, too, but diligent hard work is an effective way to success. Not only will diligence help you get technically better at your job, it also shows people you have a strong work ethic, which is one of the biggest things employers look for. Forbes says that the “dirty little secret of career success is that very often work ethic and drive trump raw talent as a barometer for overall success.… Just working circles around everyone else may matter more than having superior intellect or skills.” Being the smartest or most talented person in the room means nothing if you’re lazy. It’s hard work that will really get you places.
This doesn’t mean overwork or “workaholism.” That’s unhealthy in the other direction. That’s making an idol of your work instead of working “heartily as unto the Lord” (Colossians 3:23). Because the ultimate king we want to be able to stand before is the King of kings and the Lord of lords, who will be pleased when we work hard for Him – to serve and build His kingdom, not for our own glory, honor, power or wealth.
Paul was a tentmaker (Acts 18:1-4). Paul viewed his labors to provide an income for himself as a tool, opening doors to missions work. By working hard, toiling “day and night” to provide for himself, he was able to communicate to communities that his
motives toward them were pure and that they demonstrated his great affection toward them (1 Thessalonians 2:1-9). Paul’s tentmaking may not have earned him favor with rulers, but it garnered the attention of those the apostle sought to convert. Working diligently and being as self-sufficient as possible opens doors for the gospel.
"Only those who want everything done for them are bored." ~ Billy Graham
Q: How have you seen these principles work out in your life or the lives of others?
Q: In what ways do you struggle with doing your best at work? Why?
Q: If you were to do all your work “as unto the Lord,” how would your work be different?
Colossians 3:23 challenges believers to develop diligence in their work that is informed by their relationship to Jesus: “Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men.” This week, choose to cultivate this mindset. Viewing your work through a Colossians 3:23 lens staves off laziness that results from feeling unappreciated or a view that the work itself is menial. Working “as for the Lord” should affect your motivation and work quality.
Q: How can we encourage one another to work hard as unto the Lord? Q: What is something you are avoiding that you need to do?
Q: How can we change our mindset of doing even mundane tasks with joy?
CHALLENGE: (Please note that all these challenges include stay-at-home parents and other caregivers in our definition of “work.” Whatever it is God is calling you to do with your life is your work, whether you receive a paycheck for it or not!)
THINK: What struggles do you have with doing your best at work? Laziness? Trying to take the easy way out? Simply seeing it as a drudgery instead of a gift? What difference would it make if you saw your work as a gift from God to be used for His kingdom and His purposes, whether you really like your job or not? How would that change your attitude? How would it change the way you do your job? How would it change the way you interact with people at your job?
PRAY: Thank God for the gift of your work, even the parts you don’t particularly love, knowing that those things are helping you grow as a worker and as a person. Ask God for wisdom to see how to use your work to bring Him glory and build His kingdom. Ask Him for guidance and wisdom in how you can love and serve people more effectively through your work.
ACT: Practice diligence. In what ways have you been lazy – at work or at home or with friendships or family or at church? How can you do something tangible to reverse that laziness this week?
No man ever flees from duty without incalculable hurt, not only to himself, but to others as well. - C.G. Chappell
Feast of Stephen, Deacon, First Martyr, the man who will not act until he knows all will never act at all. - Jim Elliot
The goose that lays the golden eggs likes to lay where there are eggs already. - Charles Spurgeon
Don't simply retire from something; have something to retire to. - Harry Emerson Fosdick
Often the children of God cannot rise up to answer the Lord's call to service simply because, though their physical condition is good, their feelings are low, cold, and reluctant. Or even when their emotions are quite high, passionate, and willing, they find themselves unable to serve the Lord because now the body reacts lazily. The disciples found themselves in precisely that situation in the Garden of Gethsemane: "the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak" (Matt. 26:41). - Watchman Nee
There is a trend today that would put a new robe on the prodigal son while he is still feeding hogs. Some would put the ring on his finger while he still in the pigsty. Others would paint the pigsty and advocate bigger and better hog pens. - Vance Havner
A man would do nothing if he waited until he could do it so well that no one could find fault. - John Henry Newman
Most of us know perfectly well what we ought to do; our trouble is that we do not want to do it. - Peter Marshall
Least doers are the greatest boasters. - William Gurnall
People who are lazy, careless, doubtful-minded or arrogant need not expect God to reveal His secret or covenant to them. - Watchman Nee
So fixed are our spirits in slothfulness and cold indifference that we seldom overcome so much as one evil habit. - Thomas a Kempis
You will not be carried to Heaven lying at ease upon a feather bed. - Samuel Rutherford
Do not be lazy. Run each day's race with all your might, so that at the end you will receive the victory wreath from God. Keep on running even when you have had a fall. The victory wreath is won by him who does not stay down, but always gets up again, grasps the banner of faith and keeps on running in the assurance that Jesus is Victor. - Basilea Schlink
Friend, you cannot legislate the poor into freedom by legislating the wealthy out of freedom. And what one person receives without working for, another person must work for without receiving. The government can't give to anybody anything that the government does not first take from somebody. And when half of the people get the idea they don't have to work because the other half's going to take care of them, and when the other half get the idea it does no good to work because somebody's going to get what I work for. That, dear friend, is about the end of any nation. - Adrian Rogers
Human nature is above all things lazy. - Harriet Beecher Stowe
Serve the Lord in your work by working hard for Him.
1. Colossians 3:17 And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
Colossians 3:23-24 Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people. Remember that the Lord will give you an inheritance as your reward, and that the Master you are serving is Christ.
1 Corinthians 10:31 Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.
Romans 12:11-12 Never be lazy, but work hard and serve the Lord enthusiastically. Rejoice in our confident hope. Be patient in trouble, and keep on praying.
“Hard work beats talent when talent doesn’t work hard.” - Tim Notke
“Pray as though everything depended on God. Work as though everything depended on you.” - Augustine
“There is no substitute for hard work.” - Thomas A. Edison
“What you do in your house is worth as much as if you did it up in heaven for our Lord God. We should accustom ourselves to think of our position and work as sacred and well-pleasing to God, not on account of the position and work, but on account of the word and faith from which the obedience and the work flow.” - Martin Luther
“Fear God and work hard.” - David Livingstone
“I used to ask God to help me. Then I asked if I might help Him to do His work through me.” - Hudson Taylor
“We tend to set up success in Christian work as our purpose, but our purpose should be to display the glory of God in human life, to live a life “hidden with Christ in God” in our everyday human conditions.” - Oswald Chambers
“Through hard work, perseverance and a faith in God, you can live your dreams.” - Ben Carson
“Read the Bible. Work hard and honestly. And don’t complain.” - Billy Graham
“If God is satisfied with the work, the work may be satisfied with itself.” C.S. Lewis
“Avoid idleness, and fill up all the spaces of thy time with severe and useful employment; for lust easily creeps in at those emptinesses where the soul is unemployed and the body is at ease; for no easy, healthful, idle person was ever chaste if he could be tempted; but of all employments, bodily labor is the most useful, and of the greatest benefit for driving away the Devil.” - Jeremy Taylor
Proverbs 14:23-24 All hard work brings a profit, but mere talk leads only to poverty. The wealth of the wise is their crown, but the folly of fools yields folly.
Philippians 2:14 Do everything without grumbling or arguing.
2 Timothy 2:6-7 And hardworking farmers should be the first to enjoy the fruit of their labor. Think about what I am saying. The Lord will help you understand all these things.
Proverbs 10:4-5 Lazy hands make for poverty, but diligent hands bring wealth. He who gathers crops in summer is a prudent son, but he who sleeps during harvest is a disgraceful son.
Proverbs 6:7-8 Though they have no prince or governor or ruler to make them work, they labor hard all summer, gathering food for the winter.
Proverbs 12:24 Diligent hands will rule, but laziness ends in forced labor.
Proverbs 28:19-20 A hard worker has plenty of food, but a person who chases fantasies ends up in poverty. The trustworthy person will get a rich reward, but a person who wants quick riches will get into trouble.
(My sincere thanks to the Prestonwood Team and Alan Moore for the Editing. Ask Kurt for Refs.)
