Proverbs 10:16: The labor of the righteous leads to life, the wages of the wicked to sin.
Insight
This proverb makes me think of Cain and Abel. “The labour of the righteous leads to life.” Abel raised sheep, and he brought a little lamb for his sacrifice. “The fruit of the wicked (the produce of the lawless) to sin.” That was Cain—in rebellion he brought the fruit of the ground. The apostle Paul expressed it this way in Romans 8:6: “For to be carnally minded is death …”—and this is directed to the Christian. “Death” for him means separation from God in the way of fellowship. God is not going to fellowship with a carnally–minded person. When the proverb says “the labour of the righteous leads to life,” it is fellowship with God. Abel was a saved man. “The fruit of the wicked (lawless) to sin” characterized Cain. 1
Application
Never be afraid to work hard with the strength and wisdom that only He can provide.
Motivation
A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. Matthew 7:18
Working hard, doing the right thing, leads to righteous living. – TWEET IT
Prayer
Father, please give me the right heart to do the right things, for the right reason.
1. McGee, J. V. (1991). Thru the Bible commentary: Poetry (Proverbs) (electronic ed., Vol. 20, p. 98). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.
