TLIC Family. PROVERBS. MAY 24: WORK.

THINK TOGETHER.

What is something that you have done to earn money?

READ TOGETHER

Proverbs 12:11. Whoever works his land will have plenty of bread, but he who follows worthless pursuits lacks sense.

In Solomon’s day many people were farmers. People grew grain to make bread. The land and the seeds, the sun and rain all comes freely from God. But also everyone knew that Solomon was correct when he said, Whoever works his land will have plenty of bread. Everyone knew that you can’t be lazy and do nothing and still expect to have food to eat.

But there are people who simply don’t want to work hard. They would rather follow worthless pursuits. They want to make money in an easy way. Even worse is when people want to make money by being dishonest, or by bullying, or stealing. These people lack sense. The Apostle Paul said something very similar to this proverb in the New Testament:

2 Thessalonians 3:10-12. ¹⁰For when we were with you, we gave you this command: If anyone is not willing to work, let him not eat. ¹¹For we hear that some among you walk in idleness, not busy at work, but busybodies. ¹²Now such persons we command and encourage in the Lord Jesus Christ to do their work quietly and to earn their own living.

Paul says that it pleases the Lord Jesus when we work hard, do it quietly without bragging, stop gossiping, and pay for our own things. Why? Because Jesus wants us to love others and hard work is loving to others. It keeps us from being a burden to others when we don’t need to be.

What do you need to work hard at? Chores? School work? Has your laziness been a burden to anyone? Do your work for Jesus and see if that helps.

Because of Jesus work is a gift from God that we can enjoy.

With Jesus we can work hard as a way to love others.

DO SOMETHING TOGETHER

Give your kids a job to do that you will pay them for. Talk about how God gives us what we need for hard work for free, but then we get to work hard like he does, using what he has given us to love others.

PRAY TOGETHER

Jesus, help me to do all my work or you, working hard as I do it. Amen.