Bible Money Matters

Christian personal finance

Menu
    • About
    • Archives
    • Contact
    • Close
  • Making Money
      • Popular Articles

        • 50 Ways To Make Money: Maximizing, Creating And Increasing Your Income
        • 10 Weird And Unconventional Ways To Make Money
        • Making Money With A Blog (e-Book)
        • 10 Places To Sell Or Trade Your Unused (Or Broken) Electronics
        • Ways To Make Extra Money Series: 20 More Income Generating Ideas From Our Readers
        • Making Side Income Can Help Blunt The Impact Of Becoming A One Income Family
        • Earn Cash Back With Discover it® Credit Card
      • Recent Articles – Making Money

        • Best Sites Like Fiverr To Make Money As A Freelancer
        • 13 Of The Best Independent Contractor Jobs
        • 25 Of The Best Gig Economy Jobs
        • How To Make Money Blogging: Turn A Blog Into A Business
      • Categories

        • Making Money
        • Investing
        • Retirement
        • Jobs & Work LIfe
        • Money
        • Income
    • Close
  • Saving Money
      • Popular Articles

        • 50 Easy Ways To Save Money Every Month
        • 10 Weird And Unconventional Ways To Save Money
        • 10 Practical Ways To Save Money And Increase Your Net Worth
        • How To Save Money On Just About All Of Your Regular Monthly Bills
        • Ways To Watch TV Without Paying An Arm And A Leg For Cable TV
        • Save Money On Your Hospital Bill - Just By Asking
      • Recent Articles – Saving Money

        • How To Save $100k In 7 Practical Steps
        • Stairs App Review: Save And Invest To Earn 4-6% Interest
        • Honey Review: Save Money Automatically When You Shop Online
        • 9 Convincing Reasons Why You Need An Emergency Fund
      • Categories

        • Saving Money
        • Frugality
        • Planning
        • Finance
        • Saving For Retirement
        • Savings Accounts
    • Close
  • Banking
      • Best Rates For 2019

        • Best Credit Cards
        • Best Savings Accounts
        • Best Mortgage Rates
        • Best CD Rates
        • Best Brokerages
        • Free Credit Scores
      • Recent Reviews

        • TradeStation Review: Commission Free Stock And ETF Trades
        • Firstrade Review: Commission Free Trades on Stocks, Crypto, And Options
        • Cadre Real Estate Investing Review: Commercial Real Estate Investing
        • Axos Self Directed Trading Review: Invest, Trade Stocks For Free
      • Categories

        • Bank & Software Reviews
        • Investing
        • Credit
        • Banking
        • Mortgage
        • Insurance
        • Family Budget
    • Close
  • Recommended
  • Video
    • Close

You Can Unlock Great Rewards If You Do This One Thing

By Brian 1 Comment - The content of this website often contains affiliate links and I may be compensated if you buy through those links (at no cost to you!). Learn more about how we make money. Last edited September 15, 2015.

Share30
Pin2
Tweet
Share2
34 Shares

Have you lost your desire to work hard?

It sure seems like a growing epidemic in our culture. Everywhere I look people are trying to cut corners and do the bare minimum to get ahead.

We all trend towards laziness at times but it’s more of a challenge for younger people. As a teacher I could see it in the lives of my middle and high school students. On any given day they would bristle at the thought of a 30-minute homework assignment. If they had to think about the answer to a problem for more than two consecutive minutes they’d shut down (and then write down any old answer just to get the assignment done).

This mindset has me scared for the future. It discourages me that people believe they should be given things just because they “deserve it,” or because “it’s only fair” or because “it’s the government’s duty.”

Shouldn’t we be more inclined to work than sit around and receive handouts? Shouldn’t we see tasks through to the end and then and only then reap the rewards?

The truth is you and I can unlock great rewards if we do this one thing – work hard.

hard-work

People Who Had a Mind to Work

The story of Nehemiah is one of my favorites in the Bible. Some time after the fall of Israel, Nehemiah was granted permission by King Artaxerxes of Persia to lead an expedition to rebuild the city wall that had lain in ruin for years around Jerusalem. It was no small task considering the engineering challenges and the intense opposition that came from the neighboring people groups who did not want to see Jerusalem restored to glory.

Upon his arrival, Nehemiah secretly gathered a few of his countrymen and they walked around the city at night to observe the condition of the broken down wall. After a thorough tour of the city, Nehemiah shared the vision God had placed on his heart. To rebuild the wall would require effort, focus and courage. It must be completed he pleaded, so their people would no longer be the laughing stock of the surrounding nations.

Upon hearing Nehemiah’s appeal, his countrymen had this strong but simple response – “Let us rise up and build” (Nehemiah 2:20).

There was no whining. There wasn’t concern for how difficult the work might be. Instead there was action based on the eager anticipation of the potential reward. They set their minds and fixed their hands to the appointed task.

Their devotion to work paid off as the wall was completed in only 52 days! You get the sense that nothing would have stopped them because of their determination to get it done. In fact, this short phrase from Nehemiah 4:6 tells us all we need to know about them – “…for the people had a mind to work.”

In All Labor There Is Profit

No success – financial or otherwise – comes without embracing the value of work. The Bible addresses this in many places, perhaps nowhere more clearly than in Proverbs 14:23 where we read, “In all labor there is profit, but idle chatter leads only to poverty.”

Work leads to profit. We can talk a good talk but unless we actually work none of our goals will be reached. Daily, focused, hard work over the long hall brings increased financial resources to meet our needs.

However, there is more to it than just a financial component. Hard work also produces internal rewards.

During college, I pulled three all-nighters. Two of those resulted from test study sessions for one class during my freshman year – History of Civilization. My professor was notorious for being hard. He was fair, but the content of the course was enormous, his lectures were often over my head and the tests were brutal.

After six weeks I was considering dropping the class but I never pulled the trigger. Something inside me didn’t want to quit.

I decided to put it all on the line to pass that class. To this day I remember the feeling of exiting the final exam knowing I had given it my best. I also remember the elation I felt a few days later when I received my passing grade of C.

In academics a C stands for average. For me, there was nothing average about that grade. I was proud I had passed but even more proud in the effort I had put forth. The amount of labor required to pass taught me, for maybe the first time, what true hard work meant. I’m convinced to this day that class helped me develop the character to succeed at the college level.

God instilled in each of us a work ethic. It’s there so we can provide for ourselves and accomplish good in this world. You cannot profit though – financially or otherwise – if you choose to give it less than your best.

Questions: Has there ever been a time where you gave it less than your best? Do you think our culture still places value on hard work? How can we get across to young

Related Posts

  • Devotional: Pearl of Great Price

    Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. When he found one of great value, he went away and sold…

  • Personal Finance Bible Verse Of The Day: Rewards

    Misfortune pursues the sinner, but prosperity is the reward of the righteous. A good man leaves an inheritance for his children's children, but a sinner's…

  • Devotional: The Great Supplier

    And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus. - Philippians 4:19 I don't go to the grocery…

Share30
Pin2
Tweet
Share2
34 Shares
Last Edited: 15th September 2015 The content of biblemoneymatters.com is for general information purposes only and does not constitute professional advice. Visitors to biblemoneymatters.com should not act upon the content or information without first seeking appropriate professional advice. In accordance with the latest FTC guidelines, we declare that we have a financial relationship with every company mentioned on this site.

This article is about: Christianity, Jobs And Work Life

About Brian

Brian Fourman is a former private school personal finance and Bible teacher now turned stay at home dad and personal finance writer. He helps individuals and families navigate the challenges of managing their money so that they can grow wealth and live with greater peace of mind. In his down time, he loves hanging out with his four kids and hearing his wife talk about all the cool things CPAs do at work. You can check him out providing encouragement and inspiration on his blog at Luke1428.com or by connecting with him on Facebook, Google+ and Twitter.

Comments

    Share Your Thoughts: Cancel reply

  1. John Gavin says

    Could you setup a linked-in button as well so I could post there?
    They are great reads.

    In Christ,
    John Gavin

    Reply
Previous Post: How Long Will A Negative Event Appear On My Credit Report?
Next Post: Grocery Bill Rising? Consider These Alternative Places To Buy Groceries
Discover Investment Platforms

Popular Posts

  • 21 Easy Ways To Earn Free Amazon Gift Cards
  • 10 Best Free Tax Filing Services And Software Online
  • 21 Apps That Pay You Real Money Fast
  • 17 TV Apps And Live TV Streaming Services To Watch TV Free
  • 30 Legit Online Jobs That Pay Well
  • 37 Easy Ways To Get Free Gift Cards
  • How To Get Free Stock
  • 40 Easy Ways To Get Free Money Fast
  • 21 Places To Read Free Books Online
  • 24 Legit Online Jobs
  • 17 Best Work From Home Jobs: A List Of Legit Online Jobs That Pay Well

Recent Posts

  • How To Save $100k In 7 Practical Steps
  • How to Save Money When Remodeling A Home
  • How To Hire A Contractor For Your Remodeling Project
  • Remembering 9/11 Years Later: Where Were You On That Fateful Day?
  • TradeStation Review: Commission Free Stock And ETF Trades
  • Firstrade Review: Commission Free Trades on Stocks, Crypto, And Options
  • Cadre Real Estate Investing Review: Commercial Real Estate Investing
  • Best Sites Like Fiverr To Make Money As A Freelancer
  • Axos Self Directed Trading Review: Invest, Trade Stocks For Free
  • 30 Quotes About Easter And Resurrection: He Is Risen!

Disclaimer

The information contained in BibleMoneyMatters.com is for general information or entertainment purposes only and does not constitute professional financial advice. Please contact an independent financial professional for advice regarding your specific situation.

In accordance with FTC guidelines, we state that we have a financial relationship with some of the companies mentioned in this website. This may include receiving access to free products and services for product and service reviews and giveaways.

Any references to third party products, rates, or websites are subject to change without notice. We do our best to maintain current information, but due to the rapidly changing environment, some information may have changed since it was published. Please do the appropriate research before participating in any third party offers.

Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates.

We respect your privacy: Privacy Policy.

Thanks for visiting!

Bible Money Matters - Seen On These Sites and more..
Bible Money Matters is a personal finance, entrepreneurship and investing community. Give more, save more and live more.

Copyright © 2023 · Bible Money Matters | Sitemap | Advertise | Privacy Policy