Proverbs 10:4–The Fruit of our Hands

On a recent road trip we saw a billboard with bold letters that challenged us to “ELIMINATE POVERTY IN OUR LIFETIME.”

I turned to Norma Jean and said, “I guess they never heard Jesus’ statement: “You will always have the poor with you” (John 12:8).

In January of 1964 President Lyndon Johnson declared in his State of the Union address “an unconditional war on poverty” At the 50th anniversary of Johnson’s speech the Heritage Foundation concluded that “the progress has been minimal.” It further revealed that the U. S. Government has spent, when adjusted for inflation, over $22 Trillion to eliminate poverty.

The foundation concluded “the War on Poverty has failed completely. In fact, a significant portion of the population is now less capable of self-sufficiency than it was when the War on Poverty began.”

One of the reasons is found in Proverbs 10:4 where the wise man offered this simple observation.

He who has a slack hand becomes poor,
But the hand of the diligent makes rich.

This verse speaks to the value of self discipline, personal responsibility and a good work ethic. The contrast is straightforward and clear in describing two kinds of people–lazy and diligent. Prosperity or poverty are usually determined by one’s attitude toward work.

Laziness, carelessness, and lack of diligence usually leads to poverty. The Bible always presents the slothful as suffering negative consequences. “An idle person will suffer hunger” (Prov. 19:15). “Because of laziness the building decays” (Eccl. 10:18). And “laziness ends in forced labor” (Prov. 12:24).

On the other hand, diligence is extolled by the wise man and Bible writers. Diligence leads to profit (Prov. 21:5). Provides personal satisfaction and a sense of self worth (Prov. 13:4). And is rewarded with honor (Prov. 22:29). The diligent spirit is rooted in the qualities of persistence, perseverance, and personal integrity.

From the very beginning God made man to work. To provide for his own. And to realize, as the book of Ecclesiastes teaches, that is a blessing to enjoy the fruit of our labor. “It is the gift of God” (Eccl. 3:13; 5:19).

Furthermore, diligence in our work allows us to help those who are less fortunate, as Paul instructed Christians in Ephesians 4:28. “He who steals must steal no longer; but rather he must labor, performing with his own hands what is good, so that he will have something to share with one who has need.”

Parenthetically, it’s important to note that the Proverbs are guidelines for successful living, They are general ruling principles stating how things typically work. But they are not absolute guarantees. For instance a hard working person may be poor due to circumstances beyond his control–physical or mental limitations, economic downturns, or mistreatment by others. On the other hand, a lazy fool may become wealthy through an inheritance.

In addition, there is a spiritual component to this principle as well. New Testament writers call for diligence in developing Christian virtues, in godly leadership, and in our pursuit of seeking first God’s Kingdom. Diligence is required in making “our calling and election sure.”

Likewise, laziness is condemned. Jesus’ rebuke of the one talent man in His parable in Matthew 25, was not because he was less skilled or talented. He wasn’t diligent, pro-active, or industrious. Jesus called him “a wicked and slothful servant.”

We are called to diligently pay attention to and zealously engage in discipleship, fellowship, ministry and evangelistic outreach. “Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord” (Rom. 12:11).

The 3,000 year old advice by the ancient wise man still works, and would go a long way toward reducing poverty. “Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might” (Eccl. 9:10).

–Ken Weliever, The Preacherman