3 Lessons from Proverbs about Work

Headlines like these fill our social media feeds and our email spam folders. The internet is full of gurus offering their wisdom on how to achieve “financial freedom”. While there is nothing wrong with achieving success, the underpinning principle of much of the advice given today is doing as little work as possible. Driven by YouTubers and social media influencers, we live in a generation where people want to earn more money than ever while doing less for it.

As Christians, and particularly as young men, it can be difficult to get the balance right in our attitude towards work. As I have made my way through Proverbs recently, I have been struck by how many verses it dedicates to addressing this issue. Here are three of the lessons I’ve learned:

1. Hard work is a good thing.

“Go to the ant, o sluggard; consider her ways and be wise. Without having any chief, officer, or ruler, she prepares her bread in summer and gathers her food in harvest. How long will you lie there, o sluggard? When will you arise from your sleep? A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest, and poverty will come upon you like a robber, and want like an armed man” (Proverbs ch 6 v 6-11)

In an age where “passive income” is the goal, it can be easy to think that hard work is something we should seek to avoid. We are told that we need to “escape the matrix” and that only fools work for a living. The Bible, however, teaches differently.

In Proverbs chapter 6, Solomon points to the example of the ant. She takes the initiative, is organised, and works hard to provide for her material needs. In contrast, we find the sluggard taking his time, napping, and putting his feet up.

It is interesting to note the wider context of where we find these verses. In chapters 5, 6, and 7, Solomon is warning his son against the dangers of temptation and adultery. In his poem “How doth the little busy bee”, hymn writer Isaac Watts wrote, 

“In works of labour or of skill, I would be busy too; for Satan finds some mischief still for idle hands to do”

It is sad but true that an absence of hard work can lead to laziness and idleness which, in turn, can lead to temptation. This was something which David found out at great cost. When his armies were out at battle, he stayed at home. Strolling on the rooftop, he saw Bathsheba, and disaster followed.

That is not to say we are not to rest. There is a significant difference between idleness and rest. God Himself rested on the seventh day, but only after He had completed the work of creation.

This lesson is, of course, not limited to employment. Whether it be academic studies at school or college, time spent studying the Scriptures, or getting involved in the activities of our local church, the Bible teaches us to “work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men” (Colossians ch 3 v 23)

‍2. God cares what we do with what we earn

”Honour the LORD with your wealth and with the first fruits of all your produce; then your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will be bursting with wine” (Proverbs ch 3 v 9-10)

The principle of first fruits, of offering first to God before taking anything for ourselves, runs right throughout the Bible. It is clear that God cares what we do with what we earn. After all, it is Him that gives us everything we have. We are just stewards.

It is not a matter of how much we give. Sometimes the idea of tithing is used to mean a prescriptive amount of 10%. To have that understanding is to miss the point. Ultimately, what we do with what we earn, and what we give to the Lord, is a matter of the heart. The Lord Jesus underlined this in Luke chapter 21:

“Jesus looked up and saw the rich putting their gifts into the offering box, and he saw a poor widow put in two small copper coins. And he said, “Truly, I tell you, this poor widow has put in more than all of them. For they all contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on.”” (‭‭Luke‬ ch ‭21‬ v ‭1‬-‭4‬)

In 2 Corinthians, Paul reminds us:

“The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.” ‭‭(2 Corinthians‬ ch ‭9‬ v ‭6‬-‭7‬)‭

3. Integrity is vital.

”A false balance is an abomination to the LORD, but a just weight is His delight” (Proverbs ch 11 v 1)

”Better is a little with righteousness than great revenues with injustice” (Proverbs ch 16 v 8)

As believers, one of the simplest ways for us to stand out in the world today is to act with integrity. Don’t mislead, don’t cut corners, don’t cheat. Whether it be in exams or in business, Proverbs teaches us that it is better for us to be worse off and have acted honestly than to cheat our way to success. Not only that, but if we act with integrity we can rest assured that it will never be to our detriment:

“Whoever walks in integrity walks securely, but he who makes his ways crooked will be found out.” ‭‭(Proverbs‬ ‭ch 10‬ v 9‬)‭

As young men, let’s learn the lessons that the wisdom of Proverbs teaches. May God help us to work hard, to be good stewards of what He gives us, and to act with integrity at all times.