“From the Heart” teaching by Drs. Rodney & Adonica Howard-Browne.
Better is he who is lightly esteemed but works for his own support than he who assumes honor for himself and lacks bread. Proverbs 12:9 AMP
There are people who place a higher value on appearance than on reality. They are both arrogant and ignorant. God says that it is better to have a job, and to work, and be able to support yourself and your family, even though people may not think much of you, than to act more important than you are and be hungry. There are people who don’t work, but they give themselves titles and act super-spiritual and demandingly expect others to meet their needs. This is unscriptural and ungodly and just plain wrong! All through God’s word, He places an emphasis on attending to your own responsibilities. Stay out of other people’s business and mind your own business.
For while we were yet with you, we gave you this rule and charge: If anyone will not work, neither let him eat. 11 Indeed, we hear that some among you are disorderly [that they are passing their lives in idleness, neglectful of duty], being busy with other people’s affairs instead of their own and doing no work. 12 Now we charge and exhort such persons [as ministers in Him exhorting those] in the Lord Jesus Christ (the Messiah) that they work in quietness and earn their own food and other necessities. 2 Thessalonians 3:10-12 AMP
God tells us to be willing to help those who really need it, but He does not expect us to enable moochers! If people are in a difficult position because of circumstances beyond their control, we can and should help them as we are able, but if someone is lacking because they are too proud or too lazy to work, then they need to go hungry until they get up and work! Don’t feel that it is your responsibility to help a lazy moocher. They need to learn the lesson that you reap what you sow and if you won’t work, you won’t eat either. Encourage them to work and earn their own food and necessities.
He who tills his land shall be satisfied with bread, but he who follows worthless pursuits is lacking in sense and is without understanding. Proverbs 12:11 AMP
He who cultivates his land will have plenty of bread, but he who follows worthless people and pursuits will have poverty enough. 20 A faithful man shall abound with blessings, but he who makes haste to be rich [at any cost] shall not go unpunished. Proverbs 28:19-20 AMP
Your work will be rewarded by your needs being met, but you are not very smart if you put all your efforts into things that do not produce. If you waste your time and efforts on the pie in the sky, you will be poor.
Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider her ways and be wise!–7 Which, having no chief, overseer, or ruler, 8 Provides her food in the summer and gathers her supplies in the harvest. 9 How long will you sleep, O sluggard? When will you arise out of your sleep? 10 Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to lie down and sleep–11 So will your poverty come like a robber or one who travels [with slowly but surely approaching steps] and your want like an armed man [making you helpless]. Proverbs 6:6-11 AMP
Slothfulness casts one into a deep sleep, and the idle person shall suffer hunger. Proverbs 19:15 AMP
Love not sleep, lest you come to poverty; open your eyes and you will be satisfied with bread. Proverbs 20:13 AMP
It is not hard to be poor – all you need to do is……..nothing!
He becomes poor who works with a slack and idle hand, but the hand of the diligent makes rich. 5 He who gathers in summer is a wise son, but he who sleeps in harvest is a son who causes shame. Proverbs 10:4-5 AMP
The desire of the slothful kills him, for his hands refuse to labor. 26 He covets greedily all the day long, but the [uncompromisingly] righteous gives and does not withhold. Proverbs 21:25-26 AMP
Let the thief steal no more, but rather let him be industrious, making an honest living with his own hands, so that he may be able to give to those in need. Ephesians 4:28 AMP
Lazy people, and people who do a sloppy job, will definitely be poor. Lazy people and thieves covet what others have, but righteous people work, earn a living, and have enough to give to others.
Be diligent to know the state of your flocks, and look well to your herds; 24 For riches are not forever; does a crown endure to all generations? 25 When the hay is gone, the tender grass shows itself, and herbs of the mountain are gathered in, 26 The lambs will be for your clothing, and the goats [will furnish you] the price of a field. 27 And there will be goats’ milk enough for your food, for the food of your household, and for the maintenance of your maids. Proverbs 27:23-27 AMP
Even when you have worked and experienced some prosperity, don’t get lazy. Be diligent and pay attention to your affairs so that you may continue to prosper.