A Closer Walk

"In all labor there is profit, But mere talk leads only to poverty," Proverbs 14:23 NASB. In all labor there is profit. Dictionary defines profit as, "a financial gain, especially the difference between the amount earned and the amount spent in buying, operating, or producing something." Labor, when used as a noun is defined as, "work, especially hard physical work." As a verb labor is defined as, "to work hard; or make great effort." Labor is also defined as a verb as, "having difficulty doing something in spite of working hard."
In all labor there is profit. But what if the facility where we are working goes out of business and we lose our jobs? Well, we retain all the knowledge, the skills, and the experience we gained at that particular business. We carry it out the door with us and no one can take that away from us. And we can use that same knowledge, and the same skills, and the same experience at the next place we work. That knowledge, those skills, and those experiences will benefit our next employer. The employer that went out of business spent the time, money, and resources, to provide the training and skills that we learned there. The next employer will get to reap the harvest of the knowledge, skills, and experiences that we brought with us from our previous employer; and they didn't spend any money except what they have agreed to pay us for working there. All of that knowledge, and those skills and experiences could be very valuable to the future employer.
In all labor there is profit. As long as we are working we receive some kind of paycheck. After all, our Lord has given us the ability to create a paycheck out of thin air by simply going to work. And that paycheck is a pretty good reward for working. We can use that to feed ourselves and our families. We can use it to keep a roof over our heads to protect us from the weather and from the critters and creatures. We can use that paycheck to give to the work of the Lord in order to further the Kingdom of God. And yes, we can use that paycheck to pay our taxes in order to “Render unto Caesar what is Caesar's,” as Jesus said. Those taxes enable our governments to provide all the government services we use to function as a society; roads, streets, running water in our homes, and so on. So in our labor there is profit for ourselves, our families, God's Kingdom, and our governments.
“He who tills his land will have plenty of food, But he who follows empty pursuits will have poverty in plenty,” Proverbs 28:19 NASB. He who tills his land will have plenty of food. Benjamin Franklin, writing as Poor Richard in “Poor Richard's Almanac” said, “Keep thy shop and thy shop will keep thee.” Wonder if this verse in the Book of Proverbs is where Mr. Franklin got the concept or idea for his quote. Regardless, both statements are certainly true. By working, or tilling our land so to speak, we will provide the food we need for our sustenance. Our farmers till their land literally while we, you and I, till our land figuratively. But the result is the same. We all receive a paycheck which enables us to provide for ourselves and our families, and our communities by paying our taxes.
In all labor there is profit, but mere talk leads only to poverty. Some people make their living by talking. Pastors, customer service representatives, salespeople, entertainers, and those who get paid to make speeches or give talks all make their living by talking. And they all are both necessary and enjoyable. They provide a service people need or want. But talking instead of working leads to poverty because our hand is not on the plow. Running into a friend or neighbor and catching up is not this kind of talk. Catching up is something we as human beings need to feed our spirits. But engaging in talk to keep from working will eventually lead to poverty. “Keep thy shop and thy shop will keep thee.”
Wise words from Benjamin Franklin and King Solomon. Many believe that Solomon was the wisest man who ever lived. Here is more wisdom from a man named Robert Orben, “Every day I get up and look through the Forbes list of the richest people in America; if I'm not there I go to work.” From Ann Landers, “Nobody ever drowned in their own sweat.” Jonas Salk, “The reward for work well done is the opportunity to do more.” Sophocles, “Without labor nothing prospers.” John Locke, “All wealth is the product of labor.” Amen, and amen.