Proverbs 14
Scripture
Proverbs 14:23
“All hard work brings a profit, but mere talk leads only to poverty.”
Observation-What does it say?
Solomon recognizes that a good honest day of hard work brings in more value than just merely talking about or planning something with no follow through. That kind of talk will just leave you empty and unfulfilled.
Understanding-What does it mean?
Actions speak louder than words.
Chasing after your dreams and goals in life will get you nowhere without hard work and dedication. Solomon understood the meaning of hard work, and the value that it brings in life. Many times we merely dream big things for ourselves in life yet we rarely see these things come to fruition. We may have the proper planning, and even the right heart behind it, but we just don't have the follow through. And without the follow through behind that great planning and talk, we are left unsuccessful and discouraged. If you want something in life, it's gonna take some sacrifice, dedication, proper planning, and yes...hard work to attain it.
“Lazy people want much but get little, but those who work hard will prosper.” Proverbs 13:4 NLT
The same goes in the spiritual sense. Many people claim they want more of God. They claim they want to see Jesus. They claim they want to have a closer, more intimate relationship with Him. But at the end of the day, it's just mere words. There is no action behind them. It's really unfortunate. The Bible tells us what we need to do to achieve these feats, (such as worship, pray, read His Word, fast, spend time with His people, etc.), but we sometimes lack the "hard work" and discipline to get these things done. Or sometimes we just prioritize the wrong things in life that we are willing to work hard for.
Let me encourage you all that true success comes from the Lord. It's time to put Him as priority number One in our lives! Are we willing to put in the hard work to make that happen?
“Don’t store up treasures here on earth, where moths eat them and rust destroys them, and where thieves break in and steal. Store your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal. Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be.” Matthew 6:19-21 NLT
Life Application
Am I working hard to attain my spiritual goals? Or are they just mere words?
These past 10 weeks I have been part of a weight loss challenge at work and have definitely been putting in hard work to attain better physical health. I'm proud to say that I've been able to lose 30 pounds thus far, and I am on my way to reaching my ultimate goal of being in the best shape of my life before I turn 40 years old next month. However, have I been neglecting my spiritual health because of it? The Bible reminds me:
1 Timothy 4:8 -“Physical training is good, but training for godliness is much better, promising benefits in this life and in the life to come.”
I have to be honest here and say that some days I'm so tired from the hard work I've been putting in physically, that my spiritual life suffers because of it. I fall asleep during my devotions, my prayer times are being cut shorter, and my priorities may have gotten out of whack! I know I need balance in life. I need both good physical and spiritual health. But I need my spiritual health to have priority here in order to maintain that balance.
Father God forgive me for the neglect I may have been showing You lately. You deserve the best...MY BEST! I know I haven't been giving You that lately. I also know it's Your amazing grace that saves me, and not my hard works. But I pray that my hard works in life are not in vain. Let them be of value to You. Give me the desires to work hard to build Your Kingdom, not my own. In Jesus name I pray Amen.