”All hard work brings a profit, but mere talk leads only to poverty.
Proverbs 14:23New International Version (NIV)
Proverbs 14:23 Devotional (Daily Bible Verse)
Hard work brings a profit
Proverbs 14:23 reveals that all “hard work brings a profit” to those that are diligent, and godly. They go to their same old jobs/businesses with thankful hearts and find success through the same, while dreamers and promoters fantasize about being successful.
Therefore, these diligent ones do not sit around speculating and making projections of imagined wealth from a new high-return business. Instead, they put effort and time into these amazing and incredible ideas to see the same turn into actual products and services – they, therefore, create value in the marketplace.
New businesses and investments
Moreover, some people are always talking about new businesses and investments. They are full of ideas on how to make money, and their success is always just around the corner.
But that’s just all they do. They engage in the mere, cheap talk which doesn’t profit. And this is why Solomon, the richest and most successful man who ever lived, warned his son against the distractions and delusions of moneymaking schemes via divinely inspired financial wisdom.
Consequently, Solomon was aware of the exciting “business opportunities” and “investment secrets” of lazy fools and lying promoters (marketers). He, therefore, emphasized and insisted on labor that would bring profit.
Consistent labor
Therefore, let wishful thinking be for talkers (losers). But for you, your consistent labor will produce incredible results (profit).
For, the wise man not only talks, but he also works. He is a doer, just like genuine faith demands (James 1:22-25).
Action is the end game
Therefore, you can talk, dream and plan (BIG) about saving, starting a business, applying for a new job, getting out of debt, going to further in your education, etc. But you have to make sure that you put your plans or ideas into demonstrable action. Any amount of hard work (labor) brings in some profit.
Furthermore, all labor has multiple profits for the laborer (doer). And James exhorts you and me to be doers beyond being thinkers.
Prayer/Blessing
Lord Jesus, help me to stop talking about my plans, and working on them, and just do it. Enable me to work hard. Amen.
Daily Bible Reading
Luke 10-11 (see How to Read the Bible in One Year or How to Read the Bible (for Beginners))
