Proverbs 13:11-12
11 Wealth from get-rich-quick schemes quickly disappears;
wealth from hard work grows over time.
Money gained or won quickly, many times is dwindled away just as rapidly. It is generally used on self and what self wants. We read in Ephesians 4:28, If you are a thief, quit stealing. Instead, use your hands for good hard work, and then give generously to others in need. This is a great example of God’s “upside down” kingdom. Work hard, give generously. Say, what?!! Yep!! When we have the attitude of pleasing God in our work, and realizing everything we have is from Him, it will help us to be more generous in helping others in need.
12 Hope deferred makes the heart sick,
but a dream fulfilled is a tree of life.
Hope is a precious and wonderful thing. Hope is the expectation of something desired. If the thing you desire is not obtained in the time expected, your heart and soul are grieved and pained by the delay.
I think of prayer, and the many times we can lose hope as we are praying for someone we love. Maybe weeks go by with no answer and then months, at times the months turn into years, and we feel like God does not hear us. We start losing hope, almost giving in to hopelessness. We can become sick with worry, in despair over the unanswered prayer. However, when the answer finally comes it brings life to our souls! Our hearts are encouraged and revived. God gives us hope! Romans 15:13 says that God is the source of hope! Through the power of the Holy Spirit, we can overflow with confident hope. So we can pray with confidence, knowing God hears us and wants us to have hope that the answer is coming.