5. You Have to Work
I have come to learn that the people who succeed in life are those who do what they were created to do. At the very core of our existence, we were created to work. Therefore, if you want to be successful, you have to work.
The LORD God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it.
Genesis 2:15 (NIV)
King Solomon understood and practiced this principle. He ruled over Israel for 40 years (see 1Kings 11:41-42) during which time he built the temple of God ( see 1 Kings 6),he built ships and participated in international trade (see 1Kings 9:26-28), he advanced the economy of Israel ( 1 Kings 9:22-23 &10:21) and taught those who sought his wisdom(1 Kings 10:24). Simply put, King Solomon was a hard worker.
King Solomon, through the book of Proverbs teaches us the importance of hard work:
Lazy hands make for poverty, but diligent hands bring wealth.
Proverbs 10:4 (NIV)
Those who work their land will have abundant food, but those who chase fantasies have no sense.
Proverbs 12:11 (NIV)
All hard work brings a profit, but mere talk leads only to poverty.
Proverbs 14:23 (NIV)
The above are only some of the few wise teachings of King Solomon in regards to work and wealth. He has a lot to say about this principle, and it is in our best interest to take heed to this wisdom.
Your Turn
We live in interesting and challenging times. Almost every other headline is about high unemployment rates, inflation , loss of jobs to technology etc. Perhaps, you have been directly affected by the seemingly harsh economic climate and you do not know what to do.
I will tell you what to do…you have to work! Yes, I know that seems harsh, but more often than not, the truth is harsh. You do not need a job to work. You do not need a business for you to work. All you need is you. What can you do? Can you help out more at home by cleaning it? Can you volunteer your services somewhere? Do you bake cakes or cook well? Are you able to make crafts and sell them? Are you able to teach and mentor other people? Whatever it is you are able to do, no matter how small it may be, do it.
It may not be easy to start, but know this, starting is half the battle. And as you start and become diligent in what you do, you will be amazed at the doors that will open to you as per Luke 16:10 (NIV ):
Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much.
Today I challenge you to start walking in the light of this principle!