A Satisfied Appetite
13:25: The [uncompromisingly] righteous eats to his own satisfaction, but the stomach of the wicked is in want.
The book of Proverbs shows us that the righteous, the diligent and the wise are one and the same person. In the same way the wicked, the foolish and the lazy are the same person. To be righteous doesn't mean you just trust in the Lord and sit back and do nothing but wait on Him. It means you go out and work hard. It means you do what the Word teaches and not just learn about it. It means you don't have the attitude that you are deserving of all of God's blessings, you are humble enough to work for a living without expecting God to dump blessings on you just because you are His child.
Effort for Increase
14:4: Where no oxen are, the grain crib is empty, but much increase [of crops] comes by the strength of the ox.
Oxen are a symbol of human strength and effort. There are certain things that all the efforts of mankind can't change, but here we're told that increase comes by our effort and strength. It comes by hard work. If you want prosperity in your life that will remain, you will need to be diligent and persistent in your work.
Profitable Labor
14:23: In all labor there is profit, but idle talk leads only to poverty.
There is profit to all your labor. There is a benefit to all the hard work you do. Yet those who just talk and don't really do, will come to poverty. I'm sure you all have had someone on your job who doesn't really work hard. There are people all across the world who are employed but yet they would rather sit and talk all day instead of doing their job. That attitude leads to poverty. If you are one who works hard and doesn't slack off, your reward is coming!
Treasures of the Righteous
15:6: In the house of the [uncompromisingly] righteous is great [priceless] treasure, but with the income of the wicked is trouble and vexation.
Again we see the righteous as owners of great treasure and the wicked's income coming with trouble. There is a relation between how you live and your prosperity. When you love God and His ways more than money, you will have integrity and money will not be able to control you. Greed will not be able to control you. You will put righteous living above earning money and even if it looks like that causes you to take the long way around to prosperity, it will pay off for you in the end.
Continual Feast
15:15: All the days of the desponding and afflicted are made evil [by anxious thoughts and forebodings], but he who has a glad heart has a continual feast [regardless of circumstances].
When you have an attitude of thankfulness--a glad heart--you will be continually feasting no matter what your circumstances are. Instead of looking around your house with a critical eye and seeing all that is wrong, and all that is lacking, and all the things you would like to do to make things better--look at your home with a thankful eye and begin to thank God for all that you have. It doesn't matter how bad it is--just get rid of that criticism and negativity. It is hindering your peace and happiness.
Less is More
15:16: Better is little with the reverent, worshipful fear of the Lord than great and rich treasure and trouble with it.
The end goal is not just to get rich. If that is your goal then you'll get a lot of trouble along with your riches. It's better to revere and worship the Lord and live in peace then to strive for riches and have trouble.
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