Lazy hands make a man poor, but diligent hands bring wealth (Proverbs 10:4).

I sincerely believe that Christians should be some of the most industrious, most dependable, most prosperous workers in the whole world.  It's not about materialism; it's about obedience to the Word of God.  Of course, we don't live to work -- rather, we work to live (and give and serve others).  But I can't stand it when a believer becomes an unreliable worke!  Or, even worse, a chronically-unemployed worker!  They can say that it's about prioritizing Christian community (attending church meetings, even if it means dropping shifts or showing up late to work)... or they can say that they're trying to store up treasures in heaven instead of treasures on earth (spending extra time reading the Bible, praying, and encouraging other believers, even if it means slowing down or stopping their own job hunt)... But honestly, I have a hard time seeing such situations as anything other than laziness.

Are my words harsh or perhaps judgmental (i.e. towards people who are unemployed)?  Maybe so.  But I think the Proverbs (among numerous other Bible passages) can be a healthy counterweight to the over-used "blessed poverty" / "anti-materialism" Christian rhetoric that can be so casually bandied about.  I absolutely believe it's good to remember that the poor will always be with us (Matthew 26:11), and it's good for us to have compassion on them and care for them.  But this doesn't mean that we need to aspire to count ourselves among them!  The Proverbs repeatedly stress the value of diligence, perseverance, and wise financial planning.  So why shouldn't we?

There are several examples from the Bible, who demonstrated the importance of hard work, even if it meant difficulty and some level of sacrifice to their perceived spiritual mission:  Jacob working as a goat-herd for Laban (Genesis 30:25-43), Joseph earning a reputation as one of the hardest-working, most reliable, most successful men in ancient Egypt (Genesis 39:1-6), Daniel rising to the top of his class in the court of King Nebuchadnezzar (Daniel 1-2), Paul supporting himself in ministry by making tents (Acts 18:1-4).  But I particularly remember a friend of mine from my college years.  Following graduation, he wasn't able to get a job in his preferred field for quite awhile -- even though he was incredibly diligent when it came to applying for jobs and preparing for interviews.  So eventually he decided that he had to take a job at a shipping company, working in the warehouse at Toledo Express Airport.  It was brutal physical labor, with not a lot of pay and not a lot of presige.  But he applied himself vigorously to the job and worked at it with all his heart, as if working for the LORD, not for men (Colossians 3:23).  Even though it meant giving up a lot of time and energy to perform well at this "dead-end job," he committed himself fully to the job -- and quickly increased his value in the eyes of the company.  They knew that they could count on him, and they appreciated it greatly.  But he wasn't doing it to climb some corporate ladder (although it seemed like this may have opened up to him, with time).  He did it as if it was some sort of spiritual discipline.  And in the end, he was able to save up enough money to pursue another post-graduate degree and move on to a better career.

But just to see this friend's example, up-close, helped to solidify the image of "diligent hands" in my mind.  The hands weren't just diligent; they were dependable.  They were positive and uncomplaining and respectful.  And they brought him a kind of wealth that went way beyond paychecks and benefits.  A wealth that blessed not only his own life -- but the lives of the company he worked for, all his other co-workers, and those of us who watched him persevere through that experience.  Ever since that day, I've resolved to be a hard worker, and I encourage all other people who might call themselves Christians to become some of the best workers in their fields.  People are watching.  God is watching.  And poverty and prosperity hang in the balance.