As we enter the month of April, the best days are right out in front of us. While the world is overwhelmed with economic decline, despair, and corporate scandal, God is preparing to release major blessings to the Body of Christ. This will not happen just because we believe the Word, but because we do the Word. In the face of crisis, we must not back down from hard work and the principles of giving, receiving and good stewardship. Remember we are called to walk by faith, not by sight (2 Corinthians 5:7). We must stay diligent to work hard and not be moved by the negative reports from the media and others.
1 Kings 11:28 declares, “And the man Jeroboam was a mighty man of valor: and Solomon seeing that the young man was industrious, he made him ruler over all the charge of the house of Joseph.” The Message Bible declares, “Jeroboam stood out during the construction as strong and able. When Solomon observed what a good worker he was, he put the young man in charge of the entire work force of the tribe of Joseph.” God desires for all His children to be successful regardless of the economy. The blessing from heaven is not upon the lazy but the industrious. God is calling us to be producers in life for His kingdom.
The Random House Dictionary defines industrious as: working energetically and devotedly, hard working and diligent. David Rockefeller once said, “Success in business requires training, discipline and hard work. But if you’re not frightened by these things, the opportunities are just as great today as they ever were.” Theodore Roosevelt declared, “Far and away the best prize that life offers is the chance to work hard at work worth doing.” James Ling once said, “Don’t tell me how hard you work. Tell me how much you got done.” Peter Drucker once said, “Plans are only good intentions unless they are immediately degenerated into work.” Vincent Van Gogh once said, “Great things are not done by impulse but a series of small things brought together.” Hard work will pay off if you remain diligent to your assignment in life.
Proverbs 6:6-11 declares, “Go to the ant, thou sluggard: consider her ways, and be wise: which having no guide, overseers, or ruler, provideth her meat in the summer, and gathereth her food in harvest. How long wilt thou sleep, O sluggard? When wilt thou arise out of thy sleep? Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep: so shall thy poverty come as one that travelleth, and thy want as an armed man.” The Basic American Standard translation declares, “Go to the ant, you hater of work: give thought to her ways and be wise.” The Taylor’s translation declares, “Take a lesson from the ants, you lazy fellow. Learn form their ways and be wise.” Lazy people are not wise and they will repay from their slothfulness. Poverty will come knocking on their from door to rob from them.
Statistics show that 50% of all CEOs of fortune 500 companies had a C or C- grade average in college. 65% of all US Senators came from the bottom half of their classes. 75% of US presidents came from the lower half club in school. More than 50% of all millionaires never finished college. Get the picture? Hard work beats talent when talent doesn’t work hard! Colossians 3:23 from the 20th Century Translation declares, “Whatever you do, do it with all your heart, as if working for the Master and not for men, since you know that it is from the Master that you will receive the inheritance which will be your recompense. You serve Christ, the Master.”
We appreciate you so very much and continue to believe God that you and your family will have only God’s best as you pursue Him with all your heart. We believe in you and are thankful to God for your friendship and support. Stay steady and keep up the great work. God loves you!