Effort Equals Outcome

by Darla Noble

Don’t love sleep, lest you come to poverty. Open your eyes, and you shall be satisfied with bread.

Proverbs 20:13

If you are a parent you no doubt remember the nights of ‘no or little sleep’. I know I do. And for some crazy reason, I decided to revisit that ‘place’ by getting a new puppy. Now once more, my love for sleeping through the night has been disrupted. But does that mean I’m headed for poverty? No, except for the fact that I’m poorly rested, that is.

The message God wants us to get from this verse is that we are to work for our living; providing for our physical needs as well as for those who depend on us. God created us to do good works. He tells us throughout the Bible to work diligently and to use our abilities to bring Him honor.

God’s ability to care for us and bless us isn’t meant to be an excuse for laziness or unnecessary dependency. On the contrary, we are to be hard workers, steady providers so we can give back to God and to set an example for others.

Pray
God, I ask for a good night’s sleep each night so that I can spend my days bringing honor to You in my work and in my free time. In the Name of Jesus, I pray, Amen.