Introduction
Before getting into the meaning of Proverbs 14:23, here’s different Bible translations:
King James Version
In all labour there is profit: but the talk of the lips tendeth only to penury.
American Standard Version
In all labor there is profit; But the talk of the lips [tendeth] only to penury.
World English Bible version
In all hard work there is profit, but the talk of the lips leads only to poverty.
Proverbs 14:23 Meaning & Commentary
In all toil there is profit, but mere talk tends only to poverty. -Proverbs 14:23 (ESV)
Sometimes we can easily miss the mark in life, thinking we need to be in a perfect position and functioning perfectly in our gift to have success. However, this is flawed thinking. This verse tells us that “In all toil there is profit.”
We also see a promise in The Old Testament: Deuteronomy 29:9 – Therefore keep the words of this covenant and do them, that you may prosper in all that you do. Another translation says, “you may be successful in everything that you do.” When we walk with God, and His blessing is on our lives, that blessing makes us rich and adds no sorrow with it: Proverbs 10:22 – The blessing of the Lord makes rich, and he adds no sorrow with it. However, we do have a part to play in seeing the blessing of The Lord in our lives.
Part of our responsibility is hard work and diligence, or as Proverbs 14:23 says, toil. God’s Word says that if someone does not work, they don’t deserve to 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. So, we need to “play our part” in seeing God’s hand, blessing, or “profit” in our lives and business/work dealings.
The second portion of Proverbs 14:23 says that mere talk only leads to poverty. Again, this is common sense. Someone needs to actually be working to see a reward or profit. Money and profit do not fall into our laps – they result from many different things, of which hard work and toil are among them. Whatever we do in the workplace or business will come back to us, and God will reward us – whether we are believers or unbelievers: Ephesians 6:8 – knowing that whatever good anyone does, this he will receive back from the Lord, whether he is a bond-servant or is free.
Application
How can we apply Proverbs 14:23 to our lives?
People get new ideas, thoughts, or plans all the time – a new business idea, a change of career path, or even ideas on how to move ahead in the workplace. When these thoughts and ideas come to us, we often get very excited and want to tell others about them and discuss them. Nothing wrong with that; however, if we only talk about them, we will get nowhere. We need to actually act on the ideas and thoughts which have been deposited in us.
Another trap many fall into is thinking they must have everything figured out before taking action. However, this often limits us. Executing ideas is not a matter of “ready, perfect aim, fire.” Instead, it is a matter of “ready, fire, then adjust.” Trying to have everything figured out and waiting for the perfect “time” causes us to remain inactive: Ecclesiastes 11:4 – He who observes the wind will not sow, and he who regards the clouds will not reap. Mere talk and overthinking lead to inactivity and doing nothing, which bears no fruit in our lives.
The best way to approach an idea is to think and pray over it for a while, then consult with other wise people who can guide and lead us, and then simply take action and course correct along the way. When the right people surround us, and we seek their counsel, it acts as a “safety net,” and we find protection in their wise counsel:
Proverbs 11:14 – Where there is no guidance, a people falls, but in an abundance of counselors there is safety. We should not try to have all the answers before we put our hands to something and begin to toil in it. Instead, we should cover the basic principles of success, such as seeking the mind of Christ, consulting with wise people, and then simply act and be diligent. When we do this, we will surely see profit in our ventures and find godly success!
Prayer
Mighty God, I thank You for your blessing on my life, which makes me rich. I thank You for Your promise of blessing whatever I put my hands to.
I pray for wisdom today and ask you to infuse me with new ideas to make money. Help me to be diligent and stay clear of any ideal talk. I pray and ask this all in Jesus’ name. Amen!
