Verse of the Day for August 21

The thoughts of the diligent tend only to plenteousness; but of every one that is hasty only to want. The contrast is not between workers and lazy people. It is between the diligent and the hasty. Both are busy. One is patient.

Haste looks like ambition. It promises shortcuts. The scheme that will double your money in a month, the deal that has to be signed tonight. Proverbs says it tends toward want. The next verse names the worst version: The getting of treasures by a lying tongue is a vanity tossed to and fro. Wealth gained by lies is smoke in the wind.

Diligence is less exciting. It plans, measures, saves a little and keeps going. These are proverbs, observations about how life usually works, not promises that every careful person will be rich. Many faithful people stay poor. But diligence keeps your feet on the ground while haste lifts them off it.

Verse 4 adds that even the plowing of the wicked is sin. Hard work alone is not virtue. What matters is the heart behind the plough.

If someone is pressing you to decide quickly about money this week, slow down. Ask for time. Sleep on it. A good opportunity will usually survive a night of prayer.

Anything that cannot wait for you to pray probably should not have your savings.

Faithful slowness is not failure.