Here's another key to succeeding in our work in God’s eyes: hard work. ‘Hard work will reward you with more than enough.’ It’s easy to be lazy, cut corners, and put a minimum amount of care and effort into a task. But that won't please God, and it won't help us build a reputation that we can be proud of. The Bible says, ‘diligent hands bring wealth’ (Proverbs 10:4 NIV). Diligence means being self-disciplined, motivated, alert, dependable, and following through on something when you start it. And it's priceless because it can be hard to find (see Proverbs 12:27 NKJV).

The Bible teaches that a boss is responsible for paying their workers a fair day’s wage, and the worker is responsible for giving them a fair day’s work. Hard work, fairness and integrity are the way forward in God’s eyes. (That doesn’t mean we have to work till we're burnt out. God wants us to have a healthy balance of work and rest.) ‘Work hard, and you will be a leader; be lazy, and you will end up a slave’ (Proverbs 12:24 CEV). Instead of looking for ways to improve themselves, a lazy person might try to find fault with their bosses or tutor, with the systems they have to use, and with their more diligent co-workers. They want all the benefits that others get to enjoy when hard work pays off, but they’re not willing to work for them. The Bible says that ‘the desires of the diligent are fully satisfied’ (Proverbs 13:4 NIV). They get it all; the satisfaction of a job well done, a sense of self-worth, a reputation for integrity, the trust of others, and best of all, God saying, 'Well done!'

What Now?

Could your self-discipline, motivation, and diligence use a bit of work? Today, ask God to help you grow and develop a work ethic that He’s proud of.