Searching for Proverbs 10:4 meaning? Here’s a commentary on what the passage means, along with application and appropriate prayer.
Introduction
Before getting into the meaning of Proverbs 10:4, here’s different Bible translations:
King James Version
He becometh poor that dealeth with a slack hand: but the hand of the diligent maketh rich.
American Standard Version
He becometh poor that worketh with a slack hand; But the hand of the diligent maketh rich.
World English Bible version
He becomes poor who works with a lazy hand, but the hand of the diligent brings wealth.
Proverbs 10:4 Meaning & Commentary
Proverbs 10:4 contrasts two opposing attitudes -Slackness and Diligence. The one causes poverty to come upon us, and the other makes one rich: Two very big contrasts! Slackness is something we have all encountered at some point in our lives – Whether that be a service provider we have used, someone at work who is always letting the team down by saying that they will do something, but then not doing it, or even a worker at the local grocery store.
You can usually sense if someone is slack in their job, as it normally comes through in their attitude! But God here is saying that this very attitude will cause poverty to come upon us in life! We see reference to slackness elsewhere in Proverbs, where it says that a slack person is a brother to him who destroys – Proverbs 18:9 Whoever is slack in his work is a brother to him who destroys. The only “person” in The Bible we see referenced with destroying is the devil himself – John 10:10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.
So, slackness is very serious in the eyes of God – So much so that the New Testament says that if someone does not work, he should not eat – 2 Thessalonians 3:10 For even when we were with you, we would give you this command: If anyone is not willing to work, let him not eat. On the other side of the coin, we see diligence – We also would have encountered diligent people in life – They are the sort of people who cannot stay where they are! They are always getting better, improving, and moving to new levels of promotion.
Diligence is very similar to faithfulness. Now, Jesus was clear that a faithful person will receive more than they had when they started – Matthew 25:23 His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.’ So, as we are faithful and diligent in doing what God would entrust to us, we can trust that he will cause increase to come to us.
Application
How then can we practically apply Proverbs 10:4 to our lives?
We need to be diligent in all that we do. To break it down in more simple terms, this means to be faithful where we are, and with what we have, as well as continually sticking at it. Most people that we view as “overnight successes” are far from it! They have been diligent at their craft for years and years, and then suddenly get an opportunity that propels them to a whole new level. That is what diligence also does; it prepares you for when the opportunity comes knocking.
Warren Buffett, the great investor comes to mind. It is said that 99% of Warren Buffett’s net worth was earned after his 50th birthday – This is because compound interest really kicks in the longer and longer that you have been investing, however, this is a great picture of diligence – Sticking with it when the results are not flashy, and continuing to stick at it, and doing it to the best of your ability; whatever that may be for you. Eventually, the fruits will start to show, and you will become rich in whatever area God is calling you to succeed in; it’s just a matter of time!
Prayer
Heavenly Father, I ask that you please remove any form of slackness from my life, and please open my eyes to see where, and how I may be slack so that I can change it. I ask that you please give me the ability to know what it is that you want me to do and that you would give me the strength and staying power to continue in it diligently. As I do this, I pray that your Word would become my reality and that you would cause me to become rich in all things, especially that which I have set my hands to. I pray this in the mighty name of Jesus, Amen!
