Spend time in prayer and silence with God asking Him to meet with you and speak to you.
Bible Reading
Lazy hands make for poverty,
but diligent hands bring wealth.
– Proverbs 10:4
Those who work their land will have abundant food,
but those who chase fantasies have no sense.
– Proverbs 12:11
A sluggard’s appetite is never filled,
but the desires of the diligent are fully satisfied.
– Proverbs 13:4
All hard work brings a profit,
but mere talk leads only to poverty.
– Proverbs 14:23
Commit to the LORD whatever you do,
and he will establish your plans.
– Proverbs 16:3
Devotion
Every day, our lives are filled with all kinds of opportunities to grow, serve others and be productive. Yet it can be easy to waste time and let life slide by. We need to see the time that God has given each one of us as a gift and an opportunity to live fully for Him. Say NO to being lazy, sleeping or frittering away the hours meant for meaningful and productive work. Poverty due to injustice is no disgrace; but poverty due to laziness is. Genesis 2:15 says, “The Lord took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it.” From the very beginning, we were designed by God to work. Our bodies can benefit in many ways when we work. Attaining goals through hard work energizes us and lifts our emotions. A long day of hard, productive work brings most people a feeling of satisfaction. When we recognize the value in hard work, we find true wealth.
The Big Question
Why do you think God created work for us to do? How does a good work ethic benefit us as individuals? As families? As a society? What are some ways you can pass on a good, strong work-ethic to your children or younger co-workers?
Conclude your time in prayer and silence reflecting on what you have learned.