Biblical Reflections · Christian Living

“I'll Start Tomorrow” and “God Will Provide”?

5 min read, approximately

“If you love to sleep, you will end up in poverty. Keep your eyes open, and you will have plenty of food!” (Proverbs 20:13)

The Lord has certainly given each of us a purpose, a direction, meaning, and a vision for the future:

“Beloved, I desire that you prosper in all things and enjoy good health, just as your soul prospers.” (3 John 1:2)

As the Spirit has willed, he has given us abilities, gifts, and talents for our benefit:

“To each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. To one, through the Spirit, is given a word of wisdom; to another, a word of knowledge according to the same Spirit; to another, faith by the same Spirit; to another, gifts of healing by the same Spirit; to another, the working of miracles; to another, prophecy; to another, discernment of spirits; to another, various kinds of tongues; and to another, interpretation of tongues. But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each person individually as he wills.” (1 Corinthians 12:7-11)

And beyond that, he has placed willingness within us:

“… God is the one who works in you both to will and to act according to his good pleasure.” (Philippians 2:13)

But How Do We Do It?

Using the mind of Christ:

“For who has known the mind of the Lord? Who will instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.” (1 Corinthians 2:16)

With faith:

“I can do all things in Christ who strengthens me.” (Philippians 4:13)

And with a wonderful guide:

“But when the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own, but will speak whatever he hears and make known to you the things to come.” (John 16:13)

Has the Lord equipped us with all this so that we can sleep? So we can stand still and never take action?

It is good to have dreams, desires, and hopes. What is not good is to cling to the familiar phrases “I’ll start tomorrow” and “God will provide” while putting off what we should do and never making those dreams a reality:

“Ants are not a strong people, yet they prepare their food in summer;” (Proverbs 30:25)

Summer is the season when warmth arrives. Many relax and play, and many animals change their feathers and coats… Yet ants work and work to gather as much fruit and as many leaves as they can. Imagine if they relaxed in summer, delighted in sleeping, and said they would start tomorrow or God would provide… Sooner or later autumn and winter would arrive, and they would have a serious problem!

Work Is a Blessing

Our heavenly Father and our Lord teach us this:

“Jesus answered them: My Father is still working, and I am working too.” (John 5:17)

How sad that:

“Even the stork in the sky knows its appointed time, and the turtledove, crane, and swallow observe the time of their return, but my people do not know the Lord’s judgment.” (Jeremiah 8:7)

God calls us to be diligent, stop sleeping, and leave laziness, carelessness, and negligence behind:

“Lazy one, how long will you sleep? When will you rise from your slumber? A little sleep, a little dozing, a little folding of the hands to rest, and your need will come like a traveler, your poverty like an armed man.” (Proverbs 6:9-11)

Did We Know God Will Ask Us to Account for What We Do With What He Has Given Us?

“The one who had received one talent also came and said: Master, I knew you were a hard man, reaping where you had not sown and gathering where you had not scattered. So I was afraid and went and hid your talent in the ground. Here is what belongs to you. His master answered: Wicked and negligent servant, you knew that I reap where I have not sown and gather where I have not scattered. You should therefore have entrusted my money to the bankers, and when I returned I would have received my own with interest. Take the talent from him and give it to the one who has ten talents. For whoever has will be given more and will have abundance, but whoever does not have, even what they have will be taken away. Throw the useless servant into the outer darkness; there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” (Matthew 25:24-30)

A New Day and a New Opportunity

Today God has given us a new day, his grace, and his favor. He accompanies us, guides us, and teaches us that those who work will never go unrewarded! What will we do? What will we say? Will we say we’ll start tomorrow, God will provide, and lie down to sleep? Let us leave carelessness, laziness, and reluctance behind… Let us get up and do what needs doing now, in the best way possible! … Remember, it is for God!

_**Remember to stop by the Songbook

May God continue to bless you, and may you continue to have an excellent day in Christ Jesus!