Convo with Pastor - Proverbs 14:23

In all toil there is profit,

but mere talk leads only to poverty.

Proverbs 14:23

 

Over the years, I've spent a lot of time in academic environments. Many academics are very, very good at meetings and many are even better good at talking. (Even better at talking than pastors!). Sometimes, though, this method of operation leads only to "analysis paralysis."

 

I think there's a partial warning against analysis paralysis in today's proverb. More importantly, I think there's a true celebration of work.

 

Too many in our world treat "work" as a four-letter word. But creation begins with God working. And it is our privilege to come alongside God's creative endeavors and bless the world and bless our families through our labor.

 

With toil there is indeed profit. And it's more than just monetary. Good hard work can profit just about every aspect of the kingdom. It blesses families, companies, bosses. It provides a role model for our kids and neighbors. It can also put us in front of non-believers to whom we can witness. Yes, we can certainly take workaholism to an extreme, but in general try turning today's work into a kingdom blessing.

 

In Christ's Love,

a guy who talks a lot

(you be the judge if there's profit!) 

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My problem lately hasn't been lack of work, but a strong dislike of what I do.  I used to love being a Speech Therapist. Used to love seeing patients, helping them improve in communication skills and swallowing.  The more medically complex, the better. But lately ... the joy is gone.  What do you do then? I have been volunteering more and more, but there is a point when we need the money.

Talk is cheap and will get you in more trouble than it's worth most of the time.  Work makes time go by faster, keeps you out of trouble, and keeps your mind busy so you can't think too much.

However, for the time being, talk is my work and when I do it, there is profit. Thanks be to God.