Podcast Introduction Today our reading is Proverbs 13. Afterwards, I’ll have some thoughts to share with you, and I’m calling today’s episode “It’s A Good Thing!” Comments on Proverbs 13 One of the themes in chapter 13 is industriousness. There is a tremendous value in hard work and applying yourself to supporting yourself and your  family. Sitting around wishing and hoping for wealth or even life’s necessities usually reaps nothing but ruin. Yes, Jesus said that if the Father cares for the sparrows he certainly cares more for us, and that if we seek Him first, the necessities will be provided to us. But God gave most of us the ability to earn our way in one way or another. And for those who are unable to do so because of real and extreme circumstances, God expects families and churches to step in to help. The idea that the government should provide for able bodied people is not a biblical principle. This is something that has been a recent invention in human history, and one that rarely helps the individual or society. A person who can work, should work. Government handouts create dependency, the exact opposite of industriousness. We were made to work, and even in Heaven, there will be work. Revelation 22:3 tells us that in the New Jerusalem, “The throne of God and of the Lamb will be in the city, and his servants will serve him.” His servants? Yes, that’s you and me.  But work in Heaven will not be like work here, however. It will not be drudgery. It will not be hard labor. And there won’t be any petty rivalries or office politics. Our work will be to serve the Lord, and it will be satisfying and rewarding.  God created us to work. In the garden of Eden, even before Adam and Eve sinned, Genesis 2:15 tells us, “The Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it.” And Eve was to be Adam’s “helper”, thus she was designed for work.  So work is not a part of the curse, but hard and painful toil is. We are made in the image of God, are we not? Did you ever think of God as being one who works? Jesus, in answering the Pharisees as to why he did work on the Sabbath said in John 5:17, “My Father is always at his work to this very day, and I too am working.” So again, we are made to work, because we are made in God’s image. Work is not something to be avoided. Work can be a noble and good part of life. Paul said in Colossians 3:23, “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord…” What do you think? How do you feel about work? Comment at the bottom of this page.