He who has a slack hand becomes poor, but the hand of the diligent makes rich. Proverbs 10:4
The Bible consistently speaks of poverty as a penalty for wrongdoing or wrong thinking. God never uses poverty, insufficiency or lack to reward His children for obedience or proper behavior. Just consider the following: Poverty is the penalty for a slack hand or laziness (Prov. 10:4). Poverty is destructive (10:15). Poverty is the penalty for stinginess (11:24). Poverty is the penalty for stubbornness (13:18). Poverty causes separation (19:4). Poverty is the penalty for gluttony and drunkenness (23:20-21). Poverty is the penalty for associating with vain persons (28:19-20). Poverty is the penalty for get-rich-schemes (28:22). Throughout the Scriptures, prosperity is presented as a reward while poverty is presented as a penalty. Proverbs 10:4 tells us that there is a particular group of people whom God will reward with riches—the diligent. In what areas must we be found diligent?
The Bible consistently speaks of poverty as a penalty for wrongdoing or wrong thinking. God never uses poverty, insufficiency or lack to reward His children for obedience or proper behavior. Just consider the following: Poverty is the penalty for a slack hand or laziness (Prov. 10:4). Poverty is destructive (10:15). Poverty is the penalty for stinginess (11:24). Poverty is the penalty for stubbornness (13:18). Poverty causes separation (19:4). Poverty is the penalty for gluttony and drunkenness (23:20-21). Poverty is the penalty for associating with vain persons (28:19-20). Poverty is the penalty for get-rich-schemes (28:22). Throughout the Scriptures, prosperity is presented as a reward while poverty is presented as a penalty. Proverbs 10:4 tells us that there is a particular group of people whom God will reward with riches—the diligent. In what areas must we be found diligent?
- Be diligent in seeking the Lord. “But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him” (Heb. 11:6). Though King Uzziah was just sixteen years old when he began to reign in Jerusalem, the Bible records that as long as he sought the Lord, God made him prosper (2 Chr. 26:1-5). Jesus tells us to “seek fi rst the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you” (Matt. 6:33).
- Be diligent in studying and applying the Word of God. “Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth” (2 Tim. 2:15). “Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the path of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful; but his delight is in the law of the LORD, and in His law he meditates day and night. He shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth its fruit in its season, whose leaf also shall not wither; and whatever he does shall prosper” (Ps. 1:1-3).
- Be diligent in our callings. “Be diligent to know the state of your flocks, and attend to your herds; for riches are not forever, nor does a crown endure to all generations” (Prov. 27:23-24). This command is directed to husbandmen, shepherds and those that deal in cattle, but it is to be extended to all other lawful callings. Whatever our business or area of work, we must be diligent to give our attention and take the trouble to inspect the work. As the saying goes, “You cannot expect what you don’t inspect.” God will reward the hand of the diligent with prosperity.
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