5 Things Wise People Know About Work

Rarely are the successful ones the most talented. Instead, they're the ones who work the hardest.For many of us, we rely on hope to achieve our goals. We assume a little pixie dust and luck are all it takes to lose weight, read more books, and strengthen our relationships.Wise people, however, know hope is a terrible strategy. They realize the only way to fulfill New Year's Resolutions or achieve goals is through work.

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Work is a theme woven throughout Scripture. God commanded Adam to work in Genesis 2 (before sin entered the world), and mankind has worked ever since. Work can be a good and honorable thing to do.

What Solomon says about work.

Solomon, the wisest person who ever lived, knew much about the wisdom of work. Here are 5 things Solomon wants us to know about our work:

Focus on your work.

Whoever works his land will have plenty of bread, but he who follows worthless pursuits lacks sense. - Proverbs 12:11It's easy to look at what other people do and offer advice, corrections, and suggestions. Yet, that doesn't help us. Those who achieve their goals are the ones focused on their responsibilities only.

Work fulfills the soul.

The soul of the sluggard craves and gets nothing, while the soul of the diligent is richly supplied. - Proverbs 13:4When we consistently work at something, we find contentment. If we want without work, we are left unfulfilled.

Work is messy.

Where there are no oxen, the manger is clean, but abundant crops come by the strength of the ox. - Proverbs 14:4We often want progress to be neat & tidy. Messy things are difficult to manage and are uncertain. But a mess can be a sign of work getting done.

Work shows our friendships.

Whoever is slack in his work is a brother to him who destroys. - Proverbs 18:9It's often said you're the result of the 5 people you're around most. If you're struggling to be faithful in your work, it may be time for new friends.

Planning and work produce a successful result.

The plans of the diligent lead surely to abundance, but everyone who is hasty comes only to poverty. - Proverbs 21:5When we consistently work on the plans we've made, we are more likely to find success. Yet when we try to move too quickly, we find ourselves still lacking what we want.