We live in a society that has mixed views on work. Australia is a nation with many workaholics. People working 60, 70, 80 hours a week out of a driving compulsion to “get ahead.” Being over worked can be unhealthy.
On the other hand, we also live in a nation where people sometimes get obsessed with distracting pleasures and entertainment. Some people work their jobs only to get a paycheck. They completely distract themselves from the time they punch out till the time they punch back in again. There is no real plan behind their work – no plan for progress.
Let’s have a look at what God’s word has to say about work and the importance of dealing with wrong attitudes towards work.
1. LAZINESS
This is one of the most prevalent attitudes in our society. Laziness brings poverty & scarcity. Proverbs 6: 6-11 says Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider its ways and be wise! It has no commander, no overseer or ruler, yet it stores its provisions in summer and gathers its food at harvest. How long will you lie there, you sluggard? When will you get up from your sleep?
Laziness brings disgrace. Proverbs 10: 4-5 says Lazy hands make a man poor, but diligent hands bring wealth. He who gathers crops in summer is a wise son, but he who sleeps during harvest is a disgraceful son.
Lazy men irritate those whom they work for. Proverbs 10: 26 says: As vinegar to the teeth and smoke to the eyes, so is a sluggard to those who send him.
Laziness builds poor habits. Proverbs 12: 27 says the lazy man does not roast his game, but the diligent man prizes his possessions.
Laziness ends up in unfulfilled desires. Proverbs 13: 4 says the sluggard craves and gets nothing, but the desires of the diligent are fully satisfied. Those who are lazy normally get nothing they really want. They tell themselves they are happy, but they will not work, so they do not get what they really want.
Laziness leads to ruin. Proverbs 24: 30-34 says I went past the field of the sluggard, past the vineyard of the man who lacks judgment; thorns had come up everywhere, the ground was covered with weeds, and the stone wall was in ruins. I applied my heart to what I observed and learned a lesson from what I saw: A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest and poverty will come on you like a bandit and scarcity like an armed man.
2. DESIRE TO GET RICH QUICK
Another wrong attitude towards work is that you can strike it rich, win big, you don’t need to work, you just need a little luck.
Proverbs 12: 11 says He who works his land will have abundant food, but he who chases fantasies lacks judgment.
Proverbs 13: 11 says Dishonest money dwindles away, but he who gathers money little by little makes it grow.
Remember the prodigal son - he didn’t want to wait until his father died for his inheritance, he wanted it then and there. And what happened? He wasted it all in escape filled living.
3. BIG TALK
Do you know anybody who is a self-proclaimed expert? Whatever needs to be done, they always know the best way. No matter what profession you do, they used to do that to. It seems they have worked just about every type of job imaginable. They talk a lot about work, but they never seem to get a lot of it done.
God's Plan for our Attitudes about Work
When we work with a Godly attitude, God can use that work to be the channel of His blessing to us.
1. PROVISION
When we work as we ought, God supplies our needs.
2. PROSPERITY
Those willing to work God’s way will increase their holdings. God’s plan is not necessarily for us all to amass great fortunes, but God desires to meet our needs, and he desires for us to have something to give to those who have need.
3. HONOR
Those who work diligently bring honour to themselves
Proverbs 22:29 says do you see a man skilled in his work? He will serve before kings; he will not serve before obscure men.
4. SATISFACTION
When we work God’s way, we are content with what we have.
Proverbs 11:18 says the wicked man earns deceptive wages, but he who sows righteousness reaps a sure reward.
Be blessed!
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