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Hard Work

Posted on 06.13.2012

I did not plan to address this, but the topic continues to surface. Thus, I will make some comments about the importance of hard, diligent or consistent work, as opposed to laziness.

While you read, listen to the following song,”Hard Work” by John Handy, an acquaintance of mine. I’m dedicating this post to my late close friend and John’s cousin, Ava Handy. Both are descendants of W. C. Handy, known as the “Father of The Blues.”

As I have mentioned before in my writings, the book of Proverbs is one of my favorite books. It is a book that addresses the rules for daily life. It espouses many useful pearls, which if heeded, can lead one to a good measure of success in life. I frequent the book daily. I have pulled out a few verses from this book to share on the subject of the importance of work:

“Lazy hands make a man poor, but diligent hands bring wealth.” Proverbs 10:4

 

“He who works his land will have abundant food, but he who chases fantasies lacks judgment.” Proverbs 12:11

 

“Laziness brings on deep sleep, and the shiftless man goes hungry.” Proverbs 19:15

 

“The sluggard buries his hand in the dish; he will not even bring it back to his mouth!” Proverbs 19:24

 

“A sluggard does not plow in season; so at harvest time he looks but finds nothing.” Proverbs 20:4

 

“Do not love sleep or you will grow poor; stay awake and you will have food to spare.” Proverbs 20:13

 

“Do you see a man skilled in his work?  He will serve before kings; he will not serve before obscure men.”  Proverbs 22:29

Finally, these last chosen verses comprise a little parable:

“I went past the field of a sluggard, past the vineyard of the man who lacks judgement; 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.” Proverbs 24:30-34

Chances are, if you are reading this, you already know the significance of hard work. If you are reading this, you most likely think you can work harder, more diligently and more consistently. Furthermore, you know someone who needs to read this or needs to reminded of these principles—family members, or co-workers. Many of us wish our children in our public schools would be taught these principles. Many of us wish that we had learned these principles earlier in our lives and even emphasized them more in raising our own children.

Sadly, our culture seems to have a problem of laziness and entitlements.

In any case, the idea of bringing this up is to help keep “hard work” alive, when so many “old-fashioned” principles seem to be dying in our culture. Let us not lose the idea of working for what one wants be lost!  We need to remember that hard work pays off, spiritually and materially. Hard work will lead to having what we need when the time comes—yes, we can apply it to the spiritual (hard work in prayer and studying God’s Word, for example). Being lazy today just may mean you will starve in one way or the other, tomorrow. Finally, working surely has it many benefits. Let us not forget them.