GOD REWARDS HARDWORK

Reference Scriptures: Proverbs. 6:6-11; Colossians 3.23-24

Introduction

All of us have something we do for a living. Whether employed, self-employed. Even those in school are given expectations to prepare them for the world of work. We are invited to be like an ant. God rewards hardwork. We must learn from others. Ants [and other creatures] operate with zeal. They protect jealously what they have worked for. We may at times feel enticed to harvest without working. If you can’t teach a child to work, you are indirectly teaching them to steal.

An ant has no supervisor, but makes provision for summer (vs. 7-8). Ants are able to understand seasons, and they save for the time of lack by working now. As humans, having been created more superior than ants, we should not afford to be sluggards. It’s interesting that a man who lives for seventy years has slept for 23 years. We have to work extra hard to be able to provide for ourselves. We must try to learn to others.

God rewards us when we stop retrogressive habits.

How does an employer see you as you work. Are you one he can opt to sack if they want to downsize? Are you serving the Lord badly, contrary to the words in Col. 3:23-24? We must refuse to live lives that promote retrogression. Refuse to fold your hands upon your own work. God rewards every hard work. Do not take too long sleeping or eating. Organize yourself.

God rewards us when we obey His principles.

God worked for six days and rested on the seventh day. For six days He created the world and organized it for us. We must remember that God promotes working. He does not support folding of hands. What you have found to do, do it with all your heart. Embrace hard work as a means to prosperity. The opposite of working hard brings poverty to your doorstep. There are principles that God has put in place and they must be obeyed.

Work that you may share with another in need. Eph. 4:28. The harvest is much, but the labourers are few – Jesus. If we work with diligence we’ll be hunted by everybody.

Work as unto the Lord.

Forms of laziness:
Confusion. “I don’t know what to do…” “I can’t keep cows… …there’s anthrax.” “I can keep chicken, they’ll die…”
Neurotic fear: “I fear, I can’t do it…” “I may fail and look stupid…” Life is a risk taking business. We must refuse to have a mindset that shows us we can’t succeed.
Lethargy: feeling too tired or too old.
Procrastination. The habit of postponing what they want to do.

More scriptures

The lazy will end up in poverty. Prov. 10:4-5. Lazy people won’t it their own food. Prov. 26:15. Prov. 26:13-14. Sluggards are married to their beds.

Conclusion

Sluggishness is evil in the sight of God. It is important that as Christians we work as those doing it for the Lord, learning from the fact that he showed the way when he created the world.