Daily Devotional
Betty Miller shares her daily devotionals which are based on the book of Proverbs in the
Bible.
The Wisdom of God
Verses for the Day:
Proverbs 10:4-5:(KJV): "He becometh poor that dealeth with a
slack hand: but the hand of the diligent maketh rich.
5 He that gathereth in summer is a wise son: but he that sleepeth in harvest is a son that
causeth shame."
Thoughts for the Day:
These verses in Proverbs deal with a practical matter of
work ethics. One of the reasons for poverty is laziness, or what the Bible refers to as
"slothfulness" throughout scripture. In verse 4 the scripture
says that one will become poor if he deals with a "slack hand." This means
being remiss about the things that we have charge over by "falling down" on the
job, or "slacking off" in our work duties. Many people in today's society have
this type of approach to their jobs. They do the least amount of work that they can
do without jeopardizing their job. These kind of people will always be poor and have to
accept the lesser paying jobs because they will never be promoted.
On the other hand, those who are diligent in their places of employment
will be promoted. Good employers are looking for the kind of helpers who do their jobs in
an excellent manner, as these are the ones that will be promoted and given more
responsibility and a raise in salary. I know that sometimes employers are not fair, and do
not appreciate a good worker enough to raise their salaries; however, we must realize, as
Christians, that we are working not just to please our employer, but most of all, we are
doing our jobs to please our Master and Lord. If we take this attitude, the Lord will be
the one that rewards us, as He sees our labors and our heart to please Him.
Ephesians 6:5-9: "Servants, be obedient to them that are your
masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as
unto Christ; 6 Not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but as the servants of Christ, doing
the will of God from the heart; 7 With good will doing service, as to the Lord, and not to
men: 8 Knowing that whatsoever good thing any man doeth, the same shall he receive of the
Lord, whether he be bond or free. 9 And, ye masters, do the same things unto them,
forbearing threatening: knowing that your Master also is in heaven; neither is there
respect of persons with him."
In the scripture above, employees would be in the servant (performing
services) position, while the boss would be in the "master's"
position. Notice that the Lord has instructions for both employees and employers. As
employees, we must submit to the employer's orders (as long as they are not immoral or
against the scripture); while employers will be held accountable if they threaten and
intimidate their employees. If we feel we are are being mistreated and we take our case to
the Lord, He will defend us and show us what to do. However, we must keep our heart right
and not get into gossip or undermining the boss with other employees. We should pray for
those in authority and allow the Holy Spirit to deal with our work problems in a godly
way.
Every farmer who has a son, would desire him to be like the wise one
spoken about in Proverbs 10:5. This son does not slack off in the summer,
but works to help gather in the harvest. The son that sleeps during this very critical
time, certainly will bring shame to the family by failing to do his part. His
laziness could cause the loss of the harvest and bring poverty to the whole family, if the
father does not have enough workers to get the job done. We can apply this
spiritually also. Our heavenly Father is asking His children to help Him bring in a
harvest of souls for the Kingdom of God. We must not slumber at this hour, but toil while
it is yet day, as the Bible speaks of the time when night comes and we cannot labor.
We only have a window of time to get the job done for our Father, as the harvest,
if not gathered in the right season, will lie in the fields and rot. We do not want to be
a son that causes his Father shame.
John 9:4: "I must work the works of him that sent me, while
it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work."
Prayer for the Day:
Dear Heavenly Father, Thank you that I am
able to work. Lord, You know that I get weary at times, but each time I call on You
for strength, I am able to complete my daily tasks. Lord, I pray for love and
kindness to come to the work places of the world. Lord, let there be just practices
in the market place. May we all work so as to please You and bring glory to Your
name. Help us to also find our place in Your Kingdom, so that we might help by
bringing in the harvest of souls that need Jesus. Let us pray, give to send others, or go
ourselves. Empower each of Your children to do their part to see that people come to
Christ. Let us work while it is day. I ask this in Your name. Amen.
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