Man must work for his bread

Proverbs 16:26-30(KJV)
He that laboureth laboureth for himself; for his mouth craveth it of him. An ungodly man diggeth up evil: and in his lips there is as a burning fire. A froward man soweth strife: and a whisperer separateth chief friends. A violent man enticeth his neighbour, and leadeth him into the way that is not good. He shutteth his eyes to devise froward things: moving his lips he bringeth evil to pass.

These verses record some principles of living. The first one in verse 26 is the need for food will urge a man to work. God established this principle in Genesis, that a man must work for his bread (food).

Genesis 3:19: "In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return."

Because some men are lazy and idle, it takes hunger to drive them to work so that they can eat. In the New Testament we find this same principle.

2 Thessalonians 3:10-12:
10 For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat.
11 For we hear that there are some which walk among you disorderly, working not at all, but are busybodies.
12 Now them that are such we command and exhort by our Lord Jesus Christ, that with quietness they work, and eat their own bread.

Verse 27 talks about ungodly men who dig up evil and mischief and then spread what they find. Their lips are like a wild fire that scorches everything in front of it. Our society has been guilty of this kind of conduct as it seems they enjoy finding dirt on people and then they love to spread it through all the gossip channels -- news media, books, magazines, T.V. programs, etc. As Christians, we should not be a part of writing exposés and spreading gossip. Only the Lord knows the real truth about the many things that people share. Many people who "tell all", tell it from a slanted view point and out of their own hurt and bitterness. We are told to have charity (love) among us and love covers sins, not exposes them.

1 Peter 4:8: "And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins."

Verse 28 tells us that a perverse man sows strife and through his gossip and whispering, will even separate close friends. As Christians we should not listen to gossip, as that makes us a party to it. If the person that is being talked about is not there to defend himself, it is not a just and fair conversation. This especially applies to elders or ministers, as the devil is always trying to bring them down. If there is just cause for a true accusation, then this should come in the mouth of two or three witnesses and not by one disgruntled person who has an offense against someone. If we listen to an accusation against an elder without two or three witnesses, then we are guilty before God of gossip and slander ourselves.

1 Timothy 5:19: "Against an elder receive not an accusation, but before two or three witnesses."

Verses 29 and 30 talks of a covetous and violent man who entices his neighbor to sin. Evil men are never content to just sin and do wicked things alone, they always try to influence others to sin with them. This kind of person is described in verse 30. He shuts his eyes and day dreams as to how he can devise his evil plans. He then begins to move his lips in a manner that will bring about his plans. Evil begins with a thought, then the thought is spoken and finally the thought becomes an evil deed. We must resist all evil thoughts and give no place to the wicked one. We can do this by keeping our mind on good things and casting down every imagination that would exalt itself against the knowledge of God.

2 Corinthians 10:5: "Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity."

Dear Heavenly Father, Thank you that we are well and alive and strong and able to work. I do appreciate the work You have called me to do. I am most blessed to be Your child and I thank You for Your abundant blessings in my life. We are grateful that we are not hungry. We pray Lord, for the lazy men that go hungry because they do not wish to work that you would put it in their hearts to work with the hands you gave them to do good works. Let them support themselves and or families. I will not complain of my light afflictions when I think of many in the world that do not even have the essentials of a secure home. Lord, use each of us who are Your children to reach out to those that do not have the blessings that we have. I ask this in the name of Jesus. Amen!