Proverbs 10.4-5
“A slack hand causes poverty, but the hand of the diligent makes rich. He who gathers in summer is a prudent son, but he who sleeps in harvest is a son who brings shame.”
This is our last installment on the topic of work ethic. (Well, at least for now, because Proverbs will return to this topic several more times throughout the book.)
In a fallen world, many people have a want ethic without a work ethic. Everyone wants; not everyone works. Also in a fallen world, some people have a work ethic for the wrong reason: They are driven to promote themselves and pursue the things of the world.
Others work hard from a sense of spiritual pride, wrongly thinking they can do work in order to be justified before God. Still others work hard from a sense of spiritual fear, wrongly thinking they must do work in order to be justified before God.
The truth is that the work we do every day should flow from our relationship with Jesus. We don’t work in order to be saved; rather, we are called to work because we are saved. We are called to work as agents of the kingdom.
The enemy promotes distorted notions of work. He does not want us to have a strong work ethic. Failing that, he wants us to have strong work ethic for the wrong reason. We must stand firm against these distortions of the enemy.
“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.” (Ephesians 6.10-11)
- The enemy doesn’t want you to have a strong work ethic; he wants you lazy and complacent.
- He doesn’t want you to work as an agent of the kingdom; he wants you to work as an agent of yourself and your ego.
- He doesn’t want you to be effective in the way you engage with people at work; he wants you self-centered and easily irritated.
- He doesn’t want you to solve problems; he wants you to blame and complain.
- He doesn’t want you to push for improvement and enhancement; he wants you to resist change and settle for mediocrity.
- He doesn’t want you to grow your job knowledge and skills; he wants you stagnant and stuck.
- He doesn’t want you creating and contributing to a strong work culture; he wants you indifferent and cynical.
- He doesn’t want you to share the gospel; he wants you timid and afraid.
Stand firm against the enemy. Trust God. Be an agent of the kingdom. Do the work.
