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Plowing Provides Plenty (continues) Brother David Green

secure that if we were to have enough in riches that we could eliminate having to
"work" for our lively hood and most, if not all, of our problems would be solved and
life in general would be better. Not only that, but we may be strongly convicted that

with more than ample wealth we could do so much more “good” for others than what
we currently are able. At least that is a logical and ethical claim to be made to justify
the desire and I know I've thought the same thing. It is possible for some or all of this
to be absolutely true. We can and should do much with much wealth. After all, to
whom much is given much is required (Luke 12:48). And many problems could be

solved with more substance. Not withstanding all the good intentions and well-
placed desires to have more and possibly work less, Proverbs 28:19 addresses how
the Lord intends for our menial labor of life to be performed with effort. A vital prin-

ciple is found in this passage which God has ordained regarding "work" ("work"
more particularly meaning to labor in employment for the normal provisions of
living) in this life for all of mankind and it's useful blessing both materially and spiri-
tually and which also helps us to possess our vast wealth, if we should ever have it,
or any amount of substance in honor.

This Proverb is first introduced in Prov. 12:11. We should always note that when
Divine inspiration repeats itself, something is being emphasized that we should take

particular notice for instruction. From the beginning of creation tilling the ground
seems to be a blessed duty. It was Adam's privilege and employment before his fall
into sin to "dress," tend and cultivate, the Garden of Eden (Gen. 2:15). No doubt
labor without sin was a time of blissful work and useful obedience to the ordered
assignment from God. Adam experienced hard work and toil without the conflict of

drudgery and hardship to the mind and emotions in so doing. Alas, when Adam
sinned, labor became a curse and a penalty of life to all men: "Cursed is the ground
for thy sake, in sorrow thou shalt eat of it all the days of thy life..." "In the sweat of

thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground..." (Gen. 3:17,19).

Nevertheless, in the Just execution of God's penal curse against the human race, God
amazingly established, out of His ineffable mercy and kindness, a most substantial
source of happiness and blessing within the ordained penalty. This Proverb teaches

us that man, even in a perfect state, is not meant to be a lifeless object with no indus-
try or energy. That is, he is not meant to seek or desire to be so. The soul of the slug-
gard, though it desire much, will have nothing and come to poverty in a most sever

manner (Prov. 6:9-11, 13:4). There is much of happiness and prosperity that is only
realized when our duties are executed by an active habit of diligence. From such

continued