A slack hand causes poverty, but the hand of the diligent makes rich… The blessing of the LORD makes rich, and he adds no sorrow with it.
Proverbs 10:4, 22
Solomon affirms the reward of hard work. But then he goes on to say that the blessing of the Lord makes one rich. So, which is it, Solomon? Does it depend on our hard work, or does it depend on the Lord?
If you put these two statements together, they remind us of the important truth that God works through means. And the normal means by which God prospers us is the diligent work of our hands.
So, while our work may be the means of blessing, God is the source of blessing. “The blessing of the Lord makes rich.” Psalm 127 says, “Unless the LORD builds the house, those who build it labour in vain” (Ps. 127:1).
Sometimes people who have money are not able to enjoy it. Some sorrow came with it—either they have guilt over how they got it or they have fear over how they might lose it.
But when you know that what you have came through the blessing of God, you have freedom and peace to enjoy it, and no sorrow is added. Proverbs celebrates the blessing of money as a good gift from the Lord.
Reflect on this statement: “While our work may be the means of blessing, God is the source of blessing.”
