Proverbs 12:11 “He who tills (WORKS) his land (at their job) will be satisfied with bread, but he who follows frivolity is devoid of understanding. (lacks common sense and will be hungry)”
Our verse may contain two words we are not familiar with. There are the words “TILLS” and the word “FRIVOLITY.” Sometimes other versions help us understand their meaning. From the NIV, Proverbs 12:11 reads, “He who works his land will have abundant food, but he who chases fantasies lacks judgment.”
NASB says, “He who tills his land will have plenty of bread, But he who pursues worthless things lacks sense.”
NLT says, “A hard worker has plenty of food, but a person who chases fantasies has no sense.”
ESV says, “Whoever works his land will have plenty of bread, but he who follows worthless pursuits lacks sense.”
Proverbs will continually give us CONTRAST so we can see the RESULTS of an action, which in turn allows us to make BETTER DECISIONS. The contrast of Proverbs 12:11 is that one person is going to be satisfied with food while another person is going to be hungry. When a person TILLS the land or WORKS the land, they will have a harvest that earns income to buy bread. The phrase “working the land” can refer to whatever job you have. The person who is chasing fantasies or going after worthless things will not have any income and thus will not have any food to eat. The proverb conveys that this person lacks common sense!
So, what do you think about the subject of WORK? Some might think of it as a 4-letter curse word, but it is not. Work was given to Adam before the fall. It was only after the fall that it took on a curse. God has always valued work, and so should we. Here are a couple of verses to help our thinking.
Ecclesiastes 9:10 “Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might; for there is no work or device or knowledge or wisdom in the grave where you are going.”
Romans 12:11 NLT “Never be lazy, but work hard and serve the Lord enthusiastically”. (Could have been the verse for the date)
2 Thessalonians 3:10-12 For even when we were with you, we commanded you this: If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat. 11 For we hear that there are some who walk among you in a disorderly manner, not working at all, but are busybodies. (maybe chasing worthless things) 12 Now those who are such we command and exhort through our Lord Jesus Christ that they work in quietness and eat their own bread.”
One of the hard truths of the Bible is that there are times when a person is not to be helped. In not helping them, Proverbs 16:26 kicks in. Do you know Proverbs 16:26? Proverbs 16:26 says, “The person who labors, labors for himself, For his hungry mouth drives him on.”
Romans 12:11 NLT Never be lazy, but work hard and serve the Lord enthusiastically.
Continue Strong with your WORK!
And remember to DATE The WORD