Does Hard Work Always Net a Profit?

Yesterday our pastor, Steve, continued his wonderful series in Proverbs by exploring the topic of work. The book of Proverbs has a LOT to say about work and in those hallowed verses you can find great comparison between the man who chooses not to work (the sluggard) and the hard worker. Here's an example:

THE SLUGGARD


Prov. 20:4 —

A sluggard does not plow in season; 

so at harvest time he looks but finds nothing.

Prov. 26:13-16 —

The sluggard says, “There is a lion in the road, 

a fierce lion roaming the streets!” (aka "I can't go outside and work!")

As a door turns on its hinges, 

so a sluggard turns on his bed. 

The sluggard buries his hand in the dish; 

he is too lazy to bring it back to his mouth. 

The sluggard is wiser in his own eyes 

than seven men who answer discreetly.

THE HARD WORKER

Prov. 10:4 —

Lazy hands make a man poor, 

but diligent hands bring wealth. 

Prov. 14:23 —

All hard work brings a profit, 

but mere talk leads only to poverty.

These are two extremes mentioned in Proverbs. The sluggard is lazy and makes excuses for not working. He would rather sleep than make a living. The hard worker, however, is diligent and the fruit of his labor is profit — maybe even wealth. I understand these two positions but I was perplexed by another scenario, one which Proverbs doesn't address.

What if a man works hard for a living and still does not reap a profit from his diligent labor?

I know of many men who work very, very hard as entrepreneurs, sacrificing family time and vacations in order to scrounge up enough money for their families. I see them struggle despite their labor and it confuses me. Also, where does ministry fall under the category of "hard work and profit"? Can someone be called to work hard for no profit for the sake of the kingdom of God? Where does that fit into the sayings of Proverbs? What about a man like Paul, who lived largely on the gifts of others to survive. He worked very hard yet financial wealth was far from him.

Like some of you I wonder about these things. As for me, I work very hard and have even given up many sabbath rests but am still struggling financially. I sometimes wonder where wealth and prosperity are and why they don't come my way. Then again, I've given up on wealth for the sake of church ministry. People in my professional field usually make a lot of money. But not at churches. Where does that fit in to the whole work scheme? 

So, does hard work always net a profit? I'm just wonderin...

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