 "An idle man and a Christian are names which do not harmonize. Every Christian has enough to do to occupy all his time, and he whose life is spent in ease and in doing nothing, should doubt altogether his religion (Christianity) ... An idle, slothful person can never be a Christian." - Matthew Henry Every one wants to succeed in life whether it be the minster, businessman, college or Home Schooled student, athlete, musician, or simply the Christian. But, as we all know, success does not come easily without applying hard work and being disciplined in our field of labor. Matthew Henry also once said that "Industry is the way to preferment." What is "industry"? Webster's Ninth New Collegiate Dictionary defines it as "diligence in an employment or pursuit." It then defines "diligent" as being "characterized by steady, earnest, and energetic application and effort; painstaking." It stands opposed to being "indolent" or "habitually lazy, causing little or no pain, averse to activity, effort, or movement." Notice one characteristic requires energy, effort, and pain; whereas, the other calls for no effort and very little pain. as a diligent or lazy person? Some might admit that when it comes to their job, they are very industrious; however, when it comes to prayer and Bible Study - the matters of their souls - they are lazy and lack motivation. It is so true that "Industry" - hard work or diligence in any field of labor - results in "preferment" - advancement, promotion, honor, or profit. This is a godly principle that is found within the pages of the Bible. It is a rule that we must adopt and then teach to our children, starting at the earliest age possible. Laziness must never be allowed in our homes. God desires that we all taste of success in the different fields in which He places us, but it must be understood that it will never happen without hard work, pain, and sacrifice. The Scriptures are very specific when laying down guidelines to follow in order to arrive at the place of "preferment." Let's study them, apply them wherever needed, and then pass them onto the next generation.
From the very start, we must ask ourselves the question - who are we following? Are we following God and His principles as outlined in the Scriptures, or are we following the ways of the ungodly - "vain persons"? In these particular verses, the Lord makes it clear to us that an honest calling or livelihood brings satisfaction. He pours out His blessing upon it and uses it to supply our needs as well as the needs of our families. To those who are industrious, He promises fulfillment as well as plenty. On the other hand, those who follow after "vain persons" - people who live for fun, frolic, amusement, and the easy life and are careless, idle, and lazy - will surely come to poverty and be a burden unto others.
There are two specific "hands" mentioned here - "a slack hand" and "the hand of the diligent." They are in total opposition to each other. "A slack hand" is a deceitful one. It is one that refuses to work, is careless, never completes a task, and looks for ways to get gain using fraud and trickery. Because it chooses the way of deception and an easy road to travel, God's curse is upon it. Its work comes to poverty. "The hand of the diligent," on the other hand, is one which actively pursues work with all its might; is careful about its affairs; and is honest, fair, and honorable in its dealings with others. God's blessing is upon its endeavors. It "maketh rich."
We must always remember to keep God as the center of all that we do. He must be the supreme boss. He must have total control of all of our activities. He must "call the shots," if you will. Notice, in this verse, that the Apostle Paul included "business" with fervently "serving the Lord." It all goes together. At no time are we to separate our daily labor from our Christianity. Everything that we do is to be done in service to the Master. God has given each of us assigned tasks to accomplish. Actually, like Jesus, we are about our Father's business each day while on this earth. We are not to be slow, lazy, or idle. We are to carry on His business whether it be at the church, office, hospital, school, shopping mall, factory, or in the home with utmost diligence, haste, intensity, zeal, industry, and faithfulness. We must always remember that our Heavenly Father is watching us. Some day soon, we will give an account to Him for what we did with the talents, gifts, abilities, favor, time, strength, and opportunities which He so graciously bestowed on us.
We must live each day as though it were "our last day on this earth". We cannot presume or assume anything. As long as there is still breath in us, we must work with every ounce of our "might." No matter what obstacles stand in our way, we must give it our "best shot." Once we leave this world, there will be no more opportunities or occasions to do what needs to be done. Now is the time to get the job done. Now is the time to answer the call. "Now is the time to work hard, painstakingly, and sacrificially, if need be."
We will always be under the rulership of the Lord Jesus. However, in our dealings with men, we do not have to always remain in the lowest positions. The Scripture tells us that "the hand of the diligent" causes men to move into a place of independence. Because of his faithfulness demonstrated in the small things, the diligent man is made ruler over all. By means of his own diligence, he is eventually elevated to a place of dominion. The "slothful" man has nothing to look forward to except servitude unto another man. Because he is lazy in his work, he remains in a position of always being under another. He never tastes of promotion or honor.
In life, there are those people who get a job done, and then there are those people who talk about getting a job done. Which are you? Talking brings no gain. Only "labour" does. The word "penury" means "extreme poverty, one who has nothing." How important it is that we grasp this eternal truth and teach it to our children and children's children! A man who talks continuously always ends up being a poor man for, while he is talking, he is wasting time and losing opportunities in which to "profit." He continuously boasts of his many plans, making a loud noise wherever he goes, but never accomplishes anything in the end. He is all words and no action. We must be determined to speak less and work more if we want to accomplish anything in this life.
So many, nowadays, are looking for a quick way to get rich. Daily, they play the lottery and gamble, hoping to win financial security for the rest of their lives - anything to get out of hard work. The Scriptures tell us that money that is gotten by any other means but "labour" is cursed of the Lord and will diminish. Only that wealth, which is derived through honesty and industry, remains and even brings with it an increase.
"Industry" - the steady, earnest, energetic, painstaking, and diligent application and effort! Conversely, what brings poverty, tribute or a constant state of demotion, as well as lost time and opportunities? "Indolence" - being habitually lazy and always looking for a way that demands as little pain, effort, activity, and movement as possible. if we desire to succeed in this life?"
With these seven Scriptural principles in heart and mind, you are on the road to preferment. May God bless all of your efforts - done in His name and for His Glory. 
 Send E-mail to Russ: webslave for Christ ( russ@jesuswept.com ) with questions or comments about this web site and it's content. Last modified: 12/04/2002 |
