WORK
Ever since Adam and Eve fell into sin this world has been cursed, which is why life can be hard at times. “Cursed is the ground for thy sake; in sorrow shalt thou eat of it all the days of thy life; Thorns also and thistles shall it bring forth to thee; and thou shalt eat the herb of the field; In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground” (Genesis 3:17–19). “Idleness is the devil’s workshop” and “Hard work never killed anyone.” These two sayings, though not in the Bible, have truth in them. That is one reason why it is good for young men to be involved in sports, it lets them work up a “sweat.” God has provided days off for us to rest and holidays for even more time, but man was made to work six days a week: “Six days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work” (Exodus 20:9). If you can pay all your bills in five days, then give one day to God each week to serve Him in your local church, or one day a week to do something special with your family.
There are consequences for being lazy, but benefits to the “labouring man”: “The hand of the diligent shall bear rule: but the slothful shall be under tribute” (Proverbs 12:24). “The thoughts of the diligent tend only to plenteousness” (Proverbs 21:5). “Seest thou a man diligent in his business? he shall stand before kings; he shall not stand before mean men” (Proverbs 22:29). “He becometh poor that dealeth with a slack hand: but the hand of the diligent maketh rich” (Proverbs 10:4). “The sleep of a labouring man is sweet, whether he eat little or much: but the abundance of the rich will not suffer him to sleep” (Ecclesiastes 5:12). “I went by the field of the slothful, and by the vineyard of the man void of understanding; And, lo, it was all grown over with thorns, and nettles had covered the face thereof, and the stone wall thereof was broken down. Then I saw, and considered it well: I looked upon it, and received instruction. Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep: So shall thy poverty come as one that travelleth; and thy want as an armed man” (Proverbs 24:30–34).
WORKERS OR MINISTERS (see PASTORS)
Ever since Adam and Eve fell into sin this world has been cursed, which is why life can be hard at times. “Cursed is the ground for thy sake; in sorrow shalt thou eat of it all the days of thy life; Thorns also and thistles shall it bring forth to thee; and thou shalt eat the herb of the field; In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground” (Genesis 3:17–19). “Idleness is the devil’s workshop” and “Hard work never killed anyone.” These two sayings, though not in the Bible, have truth in them. That is one reason why it is good for young men to be involved in sports, it lets them work up a “sweat.” God has provided days off for us to rest and holidays for even more time, but man was made to work six days a week: “Six days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work” (Exodus 20:9). If you can pay all your bills in five days, then give one day to God each week to serve Him in your local church, or one day a week to do something special with your family.
There are consequences for being lazy, but benefits to the “labouring man”: “The hand of the diligent shall bear rule: but the slothful shall be under tribute” (Proverbs 12:24). “The thoughts of the diligent tend only to plenteousness” (Proverbs 21:5). “Seest thou a man diligent in his business? he shall stand before kings; he shall not stand before mean men” (Proverbs 22:29). “He becometh poor that dealeth with a slack hand: but the hand of the diligent maketh rich” (Proverbs 10:4). “The sleep of a labouring man is sweet, whether he eat little or much: but the abundance of the rich will not suffer him to sleep” (Ecclesiastes 5:12). “I went by the field of the slothful, and by the vineyard of the man void of understanding; And, lo, it was all grown over with thorns, and nettles had covered the face thereof, and the stone wall thereof was broken down. Then I saw, and considered it well: I looked upon it, and received instruction. Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep: So shall thy poverty come as one that travelleth; and thy want as an armed man” (Proverbs 24:30–34).
WORKERS OR MINISTERS (see PASTORS)