Did you ever think you would see the day that we suffered from a shortage of laborers? Almost every place we go we see the familiar signs - “Help Wanted” or “Now Hiring.” Some have stopped working because they would rather live on the bare minimum of unemployment benefits than to work for a living. Others are leaving the workforce because of poor working conditions (COVID restrictions or working with a skeleton crew).

Consider some things the Bible has to say about work.

Man was created to work. “Then the Lord God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to tend and keep it” (Gen. 2:15). Man is not to be cared for in his laziness. “If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat” (2 Thess. 3:10). Instead, he is to work to support himself, his family (1 Tim. 5:8), and those in need (Eph. 4:28).

Hard work gives one a sense of worth and accomplishment, as well as a good night’s sleep. “The sleep of a laboring man is sweet, whether he eats little or much…” (Eccl. 5:12).

Laziness gives one a bad reputation (Prov. 10:5), frustration (Prov. 13:4), and poverty (Prov. 24:32-34).

Jesus came to this earth to work. “I must work the works of Him who sent Me while it is day; the night is coming when no one can work” (John 9:4). Laziness cannot be learned from His example.

Paul instructed the Thessalonians to “aspire to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you, that you may walk properly toward those who are outside, and that you may lack nothing” (1 Thess. 4:11-12). One of the ways Christians let their light shine in this strange time is by working for a living. In doing so we are obeying the Lord, setting a good example for our children, and showing an unbelieving world that God’s way is the best way to live.

-Knollwood Reminder, June 20, 2021

In the multitude of words sin is not lacking, but he who restrains his lips is wise (Proverbs 10:19, NKJV).

Unrestrained words lead to foolishness, sin, and sorrow. The wisdom of restraining our tongues is reiterated by James, “So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath; for the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God” (James 1:19-20).

Consider some of the sins that arise when one is captured by “the multitude of words.”

(1) The sin of pride in one’s eloquence. Although we are confident the apostle Paul had command of rhetoric and eloquence, he made it a point not to parade such abilities when preaching the gospel (1 Cor. 2:1-5). Likewise, while eloquent, Apollos drew attention to the Scriptures and not himself (Acts 18:24-25). His humility prepared him to learn the way of God more accurately (Acts 18:26). Pride enters in when we try to impress others with many words.

(2) The sin of misguided prayers. Jesus said, “And when you pray, do not use vain repetitions as the heathen do. For they think that they will be heard for their many words” (Matt. 6:7). God’s attention is not gained by many words but by a contrite heart (Luke 18:13-14). God is not impressed by the multitude of words. After all, He made man’s mouth (Exod. 4:11).

(3) The sin of foolishness. Wisdom advances righteousness and avoids evil by knowing when to speak and when to be silent (Eccl. 3:7). Fools spread slanderous insinuations, rushing headlong to their destruction, but “wisdom is found on the lips of him who has understanding” (Prov. 10:18, 14, 13). 

-Sword Tips #2287

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