Proverbs 10:4

Proverbs 10 begins the details. They teach those who listen how to avoid the traps the simple might fall into, the path to follow in many cases, and the consequences of men's actions. In short, they show what wisdom looks like in detail: good sense for man, divine discretion for the children of God. They also show the result of God's government, whatever things may look like for a while. It is worth noticing that this book raises no question of redemption or propitiation. It sets out a walk that follows the wisdom of God's government.

In verses 4 and 5, carelessness works ruin just as much as more open evil does. God did not make man in His image and likeness for such indifference. When man fell, he gained a conscience that knows good and evil — something he did not have, and could not have, while he was innocent. So we read, "A slack hand causes poverty, but the hand of the diligent makes rich." It is good for a man to eat his bread by the sweat of his face. An idler is open to evil as well as poverty; the diligent does not work in vain. Again, when everything is bright and plentiful, folly takes its ease and enjoyment; but he is a wise son who gathers in summer. So the man who sleeps when he ought to be reaping is bound to bring shame, whatever the love of those nearest to him.

There are also warnings against being slack, which makes poor, while the hand of the diligent, he that is up and doing, makes rich. We find promises and assurance for the godly like these: "Righteousness delivers from death … the Lord does not let the righteous go hungry … blessings are on the head of the righteous … the memory of the righteous is a blessing."

We are reminded that wealth goes as it came. If it is gained by careless, unworthy, or dishonest ways, how it flies! In that case it has wings, not weight, and it vanishes as emptily as it appeared for a while. "But whoever gathers by hand will increase it." God honours hard work. Some great lords add honour to their rank by being more truly working men than those who live by such work and boast of it too easily. Every believer should be like this, and put to shame those who eat without working! And how happy when the increase lets someone give to the needy!

Idleness is the opposite to diligence. Which are we, idle or diligent? Some Christians are very diligent in money-making and even diligent in pleasure-seeking, but idle in the things of God. Is it any wonder they spiritually languish? Others while paying the necessary heed to their business or work are diligent in the things of God. No one need be surprised that they spiritually flourish.

Then remember that faith acts! "The hand of the diligent makes rich." "Whoever gathers by labour will increase it." "In all labour there is profit." … With time and diligence, you will learn little by little, and each lesson will be truly learned in the heart. And when the heart has learned something for itself, the joy that follows is much calmer and deeper than any you knew before. But guard against relying on the joy. Keep going, learning more of Christ. That is the only way to keep the soul fresh and alive.