Bible Study Verse
Proverbs 12:11-12
He who tills his land will be satisfied with bread, but he who follows frivolity is devoid of understanding. The wicked covet the catch of evil men, But the root of the righteous yields fruit. (NKJV)

Thoughts
Kevin smirked as he leaned up against his fifty thousand dollar sports car. His neighbor, Tom, was sitting on the tailgate of his worn-out pickup truck filing a hoe that he used in his garden. Pushing his sun-glasses back up his nose with one finger, Kevin sauntered over to Tom. “When are you going to give this garbage up? You’re out here every day sweating, working, and for what? A bucket of tomatoes? I’ve got a sweet deal about to go down at work. Sure, it’s a little shady. But, I’m going to earn enough this month to buy all of the tomatoes in this state!” With that he headed back to his car. He revved the engine and tore out down the road with radio thumping.

Tom smiled, shook his head, and kept filing the old hoe.

That very afternoon, Kevin rang the doorbell of Tom’s house. He was clearly broken as tears ran down his face. “It’s over, Tom. My boss found out about my big deal. He said that he didn’t do business that way and he fired me. Now, on top of that, the other company is suing for my actions. I guess you were right all along, Tom.”

Tom placed a big calloused hand on Kevin’s shoulder. “The Bible says that we don’t have any understanding if we follow frivolous things, Kevin.”

Kevin was quiet for a minute. “Tom, how can I learn to be more like you and less like the jerk that I’ve been?” Tom smiled again and handed Kevin a hoe.
(Brian H)

Action Point
Attention! Attention! This is a call to work and a call to live in righteousness! Just picture the writer of the Proverbs standing up on a hill overlooking the city. He clears his throat, cups his hands, and shouts out that line. Now, that’s probably not how this proverb was written. But, no doubt, I have your attention now. Have you noticed a theme in the evening news over the last few years? I have seen two things:

• How can I get more money or things?
• If what I’m doing is wrong, I just need to change the rules so it is now right?

I can’t think of any attitudes that are more contrary to the above mentioned verses! You can always find a clear contrast between worldly thoughts and what God has to say. You’ve seen the two themes of the world above. Now let’s state those thoughts as God did in His Word:

• Wealth is not evil, but you have to work for it.
• The Bible is ultimate truth. Align yourself with it and live in righteousness.

Now compare and contrast those statements. Mull them over in your mind. Does your life square up with the Bible, which is ultimate truth? Do you work for your wants and needs or are you looking for a get-rich- quick scheme? Are you living in righteousness? Read the entire chapter of Proverbs 12. The root of the righteous yields fruit. There is life and no death.
(To be continued. . .)