2 Motivations
1. To gain health, wealth or relationships
2. Fear of loss of health, wealth or relationships
Can you be valuable? In work, friend, spouse
Where there is no value then issues arise at home, work, etc.
Are there things we can do besides praying to make ourselves more valuable?
4 Qualities That Add Value
I. Diligence
II. Kindness
III. Truth
IV. Generosity
The four qualities that add value are not natural traits. We have to choose to do the unnatural. Natural is greed, instant gratification, etc. When you feel resistance it may not be Satan, it may be God directing you a different way. You have to water these traits like a seed.
I. Diligence
Diligence is persistent, hardworking, smart working, continuing despite problems or difficulty; putting forth energy and effort to complete on time and with excellence. This applies to relationships and work. Do it right the first time. Smart working is when you are cutting down a tree grab a saw not a hammer.
Diligence boils down to persistence, hardworking & effort
Proverbs 22:29 “Seest thou a man diligent in his business? he shall stand before kings; he shall not stand before mean men. ”
Benefits of Diligence
Proverbs 21:5 “The thoughts of the diligent tend only to plenteousness; but of every one that is hasty only to want.” – not want;
Proverbs 12:24 “The hand of the diligent shall bear rule: but the slothful shall be under tribute.” – rule, promotion, move up;
Proverbs 13:4 “The soul of the sluggard desireth, and hath nothing: but the soul of the diligent shall be made fat.” – fat soul, fulfilled;
Proverbs 22:29 “Seest thou a man diligent in his business? he shall stand before kings; he shall not stand before mean men.” – stand before kings;
Proverbs 28:19 “He that tilleth his land shall have plenty of bread: but he that followeth after vain persons shall have poverty enough.” – meets the need;
Proverbs 14:23 “In all labour there is profit: but the talk of the lips tendeth only to penury.” – profit;
Proverbs 11:27 “He that diligently seeketh good procureth favour: but he that seeketh mischief, it shall come unto him.” – favor;
Proverbs 10:4 “He becometh poor that dealeth with a slack hand: but the hand of the diligent maketh rich.” – makes rich;
Proverbs 12:27 “The slothful man roasteth not that which he took in hunting: but the substance of a diligent man is precious.” – substance
Imagine what we can do if we put diligence with faith!
Diligence brings the light to you. Don’t be like a child trying to get noticed. The light of diligence will bring you that attention.
II. Kindness
Proverbs 3:3-4 “Let not mercy and truth forsake thee: bind them about thy neck; write them upon the table of thine heart: So shalt thou find favour and good understanding in the sight of God and man.” – Kindness
Proverbs 3:4b “…So shalt thou find favour and good understanding in the sight of God and man.”– Find favor, adds security
Proverbs 11:16 “The slothful man roasteth not that which he took in hunting: but the substance of a diligent man is precious.” – Kind woman gets respect but ruthless man gets only money
Proverbs 19:22 “The slothful man roasteth not that which he took in hunting: but the substance of a diligent man is precious.”
Proverbs 16:24 “The slothful man roasteth not that which he took in hunting: but the substance of a diligent man is precious.”
Proverbs 22:11 “The slothful man roasteth not that which he took in hunting: but the substance of a diligent man is precious.”
Proverbs 31:26 “The slothful man roasteth not that which he took in hunting: but the substance of a diligent man is precious.”
III. Truth
Proverbs 3:3-4 “Let not mercy and truth forsake thee: bind them about thy neck; write them upon the table of thine heart: So shalt thou find favour and good understanding in the sight of God and man.” – Truth
Proverbs 3:4 “So shalt thou find favour and good understanding in the sight of God and man.” – find favor which adds security. ½ men, 1/3 women admit to cheating on spouse. 80% of high school kids admit to cheating on a test. Exaggeration, concealment of the truth, and little white lies are to gain the upper hand.
3 Reasons for Dishonesty:
1. To promote self
2. To protect self
3. To manipulate others
Proverbs 6:16-19 “These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him: A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief, A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren.” – Dishonesty means you are on God’s hate list.
Proverbs 14:30 “A sound heart is the life of the flesh: but envy the rottenness of the bones.” – dishonesty creates stress, partially because you are always trying to cover it up, which creates stress.
IV. Generosity
Generosity is one who freely gives a significant portion of what he has with no thought of receiving in return.
Proverbs 11:24-25(a) “There is that scattereth, and yet increaseth; and there is that withholdeth more than is meet, but it tendeth to poverty. The liberal soul shall be made fat: and…” – Increase
Proverbs 11:25(b) “…he that watereth shall be watered also himself.” – Refreshment
Proverbs 18:16 – “The slothful man roasteth not that which he took in hunting: but the substance of a diligent man is precious.” Favor (take a rich man to dinner and listen)
Proverbs 19:17 “He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the LORD; and that which he hath given will he pay him again.” – Lending to the Lord, repaid by the Lord
Proverbs 22:9 – “The slothful man roasteth not that which he took in hunting: but the substance of a diligent man is precious.” Blessed
Proverbs 22:16 – “The slothful man roasteth not that which he took in hunting: but the substance of a diligent man is precious.” Not poverty
Proverbs 28:27 “The slothful man roasteth not that which he took in hunting: but the substance of a diligent man is precious.” – Never want
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