Our text for today is Proverbs 16:26
“A worker’s appetite works for him because his hunger drives him onward.”
It sounds unspiritual to set a goal of working for a material possession. I sometimes refer to life’s little treasures as “things and stuff and junk.” That comment makes it sound wrong to like nice things.
After church services one sweet lady who had been contemplating retirement, told me that she was going to keep working because she likes things and stuff. We both laughed. It is not wrong to like things. In fact our proverbs tells us that working for something is what gives us motivation.
Do you want a new car? Work for it.
Do you want a new house? Work for it.
Do you want a nice vacation? Work for it.
The only time it is wrong is when such a goal becomes your idol and chief purpose in life. Work is so important that Paul told the Thessalonians, “If anyone is unwilling to work, he shall not eat.”
We sometimes think that working is a curse. The curse was the hard toil involved in tending the ground. (Genesis 3:17)
Before the curse, man worked in the Garden of Eden. We were made for work. Our appetite motivates us to do more work.
If you hate your work, change jobs.
If you are a young person, learn to work at something you will enjoy.
If you are not getting rewarded for your labor, work differently.
I’m Lonnie Davis
And these are thoughts worth thinking.