May 20, 2024 – Hand Up, Or Hand Out?

Hand Up, Or Hand Out?
May 20, 2024

DAILY PROVERB:

Proverbs 12:21-24
There shall no evil happen to the just: but the wicked shall be filled with mischief. Lying lips are abomination to the LORD: but they that deal truly are his delight. A prudent man concealeth knowledge: but the heart of fools proclaimeth foolishness. The hand of the diligent shall bear rule: but the slothful shall be under tribute.

OUTLOOK ON THE IN BOOK:

      When I was a young boy, I would often hear statements like, “If you put your mind to it, you can even become the President of the United States.” Others would advise, “If you work hard and keep your nose clean, you can achieve anything you set your mind to.” Back then, I did not quite grasp the correlation between “keeping one’s nose clean” and achieving success, even though I had noticed influential people frequently wiping their noses on television.

    As I matured, I realized that these pieces of advice mirrored what God’s Word has emphasized all along: with diligence and hard work, success is attainable. On the other hand, if one adopts a lazy attitude, always seeking handouts and feeling entitled, they will always find themselves under tribute, or indebted to others.

    I’ve often observed that those who constantly rely on others, expecting handouts, eventually lose whatever they believed they possessed. The reality is that everything belongs to God; we are merely caretakers of His blessings.

    The Bible instructs us to approach every task as if we’re doing it for the Lord. Hence, when we work diligently for Him, He ensures our needs are met.

THE WORD WALKING IN ME:

    God never asks us to do more than we are capable of doing. However, He always expects us to do everything within our capacity. What can you do for the Lord today? Take a moment to express gratitude to Him for the opportunity to contribute to His purpose.

So, are you looking for a HAND UP or HAND OUT?

IF YOU ARE JOURNALING:

Ask yourself, what are MY THOUGHTS concerning this Passage, and todays Devotion?

Do I find within this reading a CHALLENGE for my life?

What are one or two things I WILL DO today or this week to accept that CHALLENGE?

GOD TALKING TO ME: May 20, 2024

THROUGH THE BIBLE WITH A DAILY PROVERBS
    2 Chronicles 1-6
    Proverbs 12:21-24

THROUGH THE BIBLE OLD & NEW TESTAMENT DAILY
   1 Kings 9-10
   John 6:1-33