Lazy hands make for poverty,
but diligent hands bring wealth.
Summary: The Bible is a unique document in that it was written in heaven and recorded on earth. The dual nature of Scripture carries water both in this world and the next.
At the beginning of Proverbs, Solomon sets the stage by introducing us to Wisdom. He also warns us against falling into the trap of being enticed by the wicked and foolish. Now we are in a section of the text that includes general proverbs. Today’s text compares “lazy hands” with “diligent” ones.
This proverb does not have any spiritual or moral overtones. It is a simple statement of fact. All other things being equal, people who work hard have more to show for it than lazy people.
If a lazy person is content with their poverty, then there is probably nothing wrong with laziness. Unfortunately, for the lazy and diligent alike, life is full of unexpected challenges. It is a bit like the Lord’s parable about the wise and foolish builders. The diligent build on a rock foundation, the lazy build without giving mind to the support needed for the house (Matthew 7: 24-27). Eventually, a storm comes along that challenges both the wise and the foolish. The wise endure and the foolish are swept away.
So much for the obvious…
What else might it mean?
The Bible is an incredible document. It is written in human words and framed in a worldly context. Yet, the Author is not human.
God writes to us from across the infinite span of distance that separates heaven from hell, life from death, and spirit from flesh. At the same time we experience God as being metaphysically distant, he is also so close as to be considered within our very being. He is at once both in heaven and intimately aware of every hair on our heads and the thoughts of our hearts (Matthew 10:30, Psalm 44: 20-21).
Given this duality of origins, the spiritual and the world of flesh, does it make sense to look for a spiritual application for today’s verse? Is there a spiritual equivalent to wealth and poverty?
Yes, there is.
In spiritual terms, the closer we are to God, the richer we are. If we turn our backs on God and move away from his will for us, we experience spiritual poverty.
Application: Love God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. (Matthew 22: 37)
Food for Thought: What are examples of spiritual wealth?
What are examples of spiritual wealth?
I think to be spiritually wealthy, one would genuinely bear the Fruits of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23):
Faithfulness
Self-Control
Patience
Goodness
Gentleness
Joy
Kindness
Peace
Love
More so though I think spiritual wealth involves having a whole lot of wisdom inside your head and heart. Not just book knowledge but application, and not about earthly things, but about eternal things, and how those two things fit together.
I like these verses because they talk about a spiritually wealthy person and what that would mean for their life:
Ecclesiastes 7:1 A good name is better than a good ointment,
And the day of one’s death is better than the day of one’s birth.
Proverbs 22:4 The reward of humility and the fear of the Lord
Are riches, honor and life.
Ecclesiastes 7:12 For wisdom is protection just as money is protection, But the advantage of knowledge is that wisdom preserves the lives of its possessors.
Thank you, Chris.
I appreciate the thought you have put into today’s answer. The Proverbs 22:4 passage is a good example of what we are discussing today. Are the “riches” promised as a reward for humility and fearing the Lord worldly or spiritual? The worldly may see dollar signs, but the spiritual see the value of the Lord’s favor.
I agree with Chris but I would like to add understand to go along with wisdom and knowledge. Proverbs 2:2-5, Proverbs 4:7.
Tim,
I understand…
🙂
Another aspect of spiritual wealth is our impact upon other lives. We are commanded to make disciples (Mt 28: 19) and to duplicate ourselves in others (2 Timothy 2: 2). This kind of wealth is passed on for generations.
Rich,
Excellent point! This kind of wealth can never be consumed. There is an endless supply, and sharing it only adds to our personal supply.
04-13-2022, Proverbs 10:4, What are examples of spiritual wealth?
Wherefore if any man is in Christ, he is a new creature: the old things are passed away; behold, they are become new.
2 Corinthians 5:17
Jesus Christ is our greatest, priceless, spiritual gift. He is the source of our salvation, our key to understanding our purpose on earth, our power to live in obedience to our Father God. We find rest in Christ as we allow Him to transform and empower us to become effective members of His body on earth.
John 3:16-21, Matthew 11:28-30, Ephesians 1:3, 3:8, Colssians 2:10
The Holy Spirit convicts all of sin, righteousness and judgement eternally secures the salvation of each believer. The presence of the Holy Spirit is the “seal” or guarantee that we are eternally secure in Christ. He guides believers into all truth, He will glorify Christ as He reveals what Christ determines we must be told. He is the source of all spiritual gifts by which we become effective members of the body of Christ on earth, allowing Christ to minister to others through us.
John 16:8-15, Ephesians 1:13, 1 Corinthians 10:31
Ron,
I like the comparison of ‘spiritual wealth’ with ‘spiritual gifts.’ That makes a lot of sense. God’s gifts to us are indeed beyond price.