Finding Hope In Hard Work

Years ago, I had a friend who said, “I love hard work. I can sit and watch people who are doing it for hours at a time.” Some people you know may be like that. They don’t mind hard work, as long as someone else is doing it. For themselves, they expect the resources for what they need each day – and for what they desire – will somehow come their way with little or no effort. Then, when they see others prospering and advancing personally and professionally, while they are not, these same people feel resentful and cry, “Unfair!”

I know of two men who as teenagers were both accomplished athletes. Both had the potential to succeed at the professional sports level. One man applied himself, diligently refining his strengths and working hard to overcome his weaknesses. Eventually he progressed to the top professional level of his sport and became a “star” for more than a decade. The other man, who was the same age and had grown up in the same city, expected opportunity to simply be handed to him. When he made mistakes, he offered excuses rather than recognizing his failings and working to improve deficiencies in his athletic prowess. Instead of becoming a star, he chose to be a sluggard. The closest he has ever come to professional sports was buying a ticket to see a contest.

The following principles from the ancient book of Proverbs in the Bible teach about hard work and diligence.  They remain amazingly relevant for the 21st century.

Hard work is motivated by need. If we had someone who guaranteed to pay for all of our expenses, or if we suddenly became wealthy beyond imagination, we probably would lose motivation for working as hard as we should. But when we have a need to fulfill, we suddenly realize how important it is to apply ourselves diligently to our work responsibilities. “The laborer’s appetite works for him; his hunger drives him on” (Proverbs 16:26).

Hard work often results in honor.

Because so few people truly work hard, giving everything they have to the task at hand and using their abilities to the maximum, they tend to be noticed. Often these are the individuals who receive promotions and special recognition for contributions to their companies. “Do you see a man skilled in his work? He will serve before kings; he will not serve before obscure men” (Proverbs 21:29). “He who tends a fig tree will eat its fruit, and he who looks after his master will be honored” (Proverbs 27:18).

Hard work prepares for leadership responsibilities.

Who would you rather work for – someone who sets the example through his or her own diligent efforts, or someone who sits back preferring to let everyone else do the work? When you consistently set the pace in working hard, it is likely that one day you will be asked to show others how to do the same. “Diligent hands will rule, but laziness ends in slave labor” (Proverbs 12:24).

Hard work yields lasting results.

Sometimes we are tempted to act in haste, wanting to “work a deal” that promises to bring a quick and substantial financial return. However, acting hastily can bring devastating results because we failed to anticipate potential problems. Working diligently may take longer, and the financial return typically is not nearly as great, but in the long term it proves to be the wisest course. “The plans of the diligent lead to profit as surely as haste leads to poverty (Proverbs 21:5).

- Atricle By: Robert J. Tamasy