“Poor is he who works with a negligent hand, but the hand of the diligent makes rich.”

The word hand in this verse represents two different words in the original language. The first hand—the negligent one—is open, palm revealed, and basically at rest. The second hand is closed, almost a fist, tightly held and ready for work and action. That is part of the reason St. Augustine spoke of the “slack” or negligent in this passage as chasing the wind and flying birds—things destined not to be caught, essentially a waste of time. The concept of “rich” in this verse is both physical and, more significantly, spiritual. Solomon, who certainly understood worldly wealth, knew even better the need for God’s blessing in our lives. When worldly wealth—by no means portrayed as bad here—is left behind, we enter eternity where God’s blessings expand without end. Being diligent is not necessarily about the object of our diligence but about recognizing that God did not create us to be lazy. Just as our physical bodies respond to activity with health, while laziness brings a host of negative conditions, so too diligence reflects a much greater biblical understanding. Today, walk diligently on the path God has laid before you. #BeTheEdge

“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters.” Colossians 3:23 NIV