The one who works his land will have plenty of food, but whoever chases fantasies will have his fill of poverty. He who works his landThe phrase emphasizes the virtue of diligence and responsibility. In the Hebrew context, the word for "works" (עֹבֵד, 'oved) implies laboring with commitment and perseverance. The "land" (אַדְמָתוֹ, admato) represents one's God-given resources or opportunities. Historically, agriculture was the primary means of sustenance, and working the land was a direct path to provision. This phrase encourages believers to faithfully steward their resources, trusting that God blesses hard work. will have plenty of food
The promise of "plenty" (שָׂבַע, sava) signifies abundance and satisfaction. In biblical times, having enough food was a sign of God's blessing and favor. The Hebrew word for "food" (לָחֶם, lechem) often symbolizes sustenance and life itself. This part of the verse reassures that diligent effort in one's endeavors leads to God's provision, aligning with the biblical principle that God rewards those who are faithful in their duties. but whoever chases fantasies
The contrast here is stark. "Chases" (רוֹדֵף, rodef) suggests a pursuit that is relentless yet misguided. "Fantasies" (רֵיקִים, reqim) refers to empty, vain pursuits that lack substance or reality. In the ancient world, as today, people were tempted by get-rich-quick schemes or unrealistic dreams. This phrase warns against abandoning practical responsibilities for the allure of quick success, which often leads to disappointment. will have his fill of poverty
The outcome of chasing fantasies is "poverty" (מַחְסוֹר, machsor), a state of lack and need. The Hebrew word implies not just material lack but also a deficiency in well-being and security. This serves as a cautionary note that neglecting one's duties in favor of unrealistic pursuits results in a life devoid of God's intended blessings. The verse as a whole underscores the biblical truth that God honors diligence and wise stewardship, while warning against the folly of pursuing empty dreams. Persons / Places / Events 1. The Diligent WorkerThis person represents those who are committed to their responsibilities and work hard to cultivate what they have been given. In the context of ancient Israel, this would be a farmer or landowner who diligently tends to their land. 2. The DreamerThis individual symbolizes those who neglect their responsibilities in pursuit of unrealistic or impractical goals, often leading to negative consequences such as poverty. 3. The LandIn ancient agrarian societies, land was a primary source of sustenance and wealth. It represents the resources and opportunities God provides to each person. 4. PovertyA state of lacking material wealth, often resulting from poor choices or neglect of responsibilities. In the biblical context, it can also imply spiritual poverty. 5. Plenty of FoodThis signifies the reward and provision that come from diligent work and responsible stewardship of one's resources. Teaching Points The Value of DiligenceDiligence in our work is a biblical principle that leads to provision and blessing. We are called to be faithful stewards of the resources and opportunities God has given us. The Danger of Chasing FantasiesPursuing unrealistic dreams or neglecting responsibilities can lead to poverty and lack. It is important to discern God's will and focus on practical, God-honoring goals. Stewardship of ResourcesGod has entrusted each of us with resources, whether material, spiritual, or relational. We must manage these wisely and work diligently to cultivate them. Spiritual ImplicationsWhile the verse speaks to physical provision, it also has spiritual implications. Just as we must work diligently in our earthly tasks, we must also be diligent in our spiritual growth and relationship with God. Contentment and Trust in GodTrusting in God's provision and being content with what we have is crucial. While we work diligently, we must also rely on God to bless our efforts and provide for our needs. Bible Study Questions 1. How does the concept of diligence in Proverbs 28:19 apply to your current work or responsibilities? 2. In what ways might you be "chasing fantasies" in your life, and how can you refocus on practical, God-honoring goals? 3. How can you better steward the resources God has entrusted to you, both materially and spiritually? 4. What are some practical steps you can take to ensure you are working diligently in your spiritual life as well as your physical tasks? 5. How does trusting in God's provision help you find contentment in your current circumstances, and how can this trust impact your work ethic? Connections to Other Scriptures Genesis 3:17-19This passage discusses the curse on the ground due to Adam's sin, emphasizing the need for hard work to produce food, which connects to the theme of labor in Proverbs 28:19. Proverbs 12:11This verse parallels Proverbs 28:19 by contrasting the diligent worker with those who pursue worthless things, reinforcing the idea that hard work leads to provision. 2 Thessalonians 3:10-12Paul instructs the Thessalonians on the importance of working and not being idle, which aligns with the principle of diligence in Proverbs 28:19. People SolomonPlaces JerusalemTopics Abundance, Abundant, Bread, Chases, Empty, Fantasies, Fill, Filled, Followeth, Follows, Full, Goes, Good-for-nothing, Ground, Measure, Persons, Plenty, Ploughing, Poor, Poverty, Pursuing, Pursuits, Satisfied, Tilleth, Tilling, Tills, Vain, Vanity, Works, WorthlessDictionary of Bible Themes Proverbs 28:19 5447 poverty, causes
5539 sluggard Library Two Coverings and Two Consequences
A Sermon (No. 3500) by C. H. Spurgeon, April 4th, 1875, at the Metropolitan Tabernacle, Newington. Published February 24th, 1916. "He that covereth his sins shall not prosper."--Proverbs 28:13. "Thou Hast covered all their sins."--Psalm 85:2. In these two texts we have man's covering, which is worthless and culpable, and God's covering, which is profitable and worthy of all acceptation. No sooner had man disobeyed his Maker's will in the garden of Eden than he discovered to his surprise and dismay …
C.H. Spurgeon—Sermons on ProverbsThe Right Kind of Fear
A Sermon (No. 2971) published on Thursday, January 18th, 1906, delivered by C.H. Spurgeon at the Metropolitan Tabernacle, Newington on Thursday evening, September 2nd, 1876. "Happy is the man that feareth alway."--Proverbs 28:14. But did not John say that "fear hath torment?" Then how can he be happy who hath fear, and especially he who hath it always. Did not John also say that "perfect love casteth out fear?" How is it then that he is happy in whom love is not made perfect, if so be that the fear …
C.H. Spurgeon—Sermons on Proverbs He Does Battle for the Faith; He Restores Peace among those who were at Variance; He Takes in Hand to Build a Stone Church.
57. (32). There was a certain clerk in Lismore whose life, as it is said, was good, but his faith not so. He was a man of some knowledge in his own eyes, and dared to say that in the Eucharist there is only a sacrament and not the fact[718] of the sacrament, that is, mere sanctification and not the truth of the Body. On this subject he was often addressed by Malachy in secret, but in vain; and finally he was called before a public assembly, the laity however being excluded, in order that if it were …
H. J. Lawlor—St. Bernard of Clairvaux's Life of St. Malachy of Armagh "If we Confess Our Sins, He is Faithful and Just to Forgive us Our Sins",
1 John i. 9.--"If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins", &c. The current of sin dries not up, but runs constantly while we are in this life. It is true, it is much diminished in a believer, and it runs not in such an universal flood over the whole man as it is in the unbeliever. Yet there is a living spring of sin within the godly, which is never ceasing to drop out pollution and defilement, either upon their whole persons, or, at least, to intermingle it with their …
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning "When Solomon was Old. "
"It came to pass when Solomon was old, that his wives turned away his heart after other Gods." 1 KINGS xi. 4. Who could have predicted that this would come to pass? And yet it is often so, for it is still true that NO AMOUNT OF KNOWLEDGE WILL SAVE FROM BACKSLIDING THOSE WHO REFUSE TO LISTEN TO GOD. We learn from verse 10 that God had taken pains to save Solomon from idolatry, (see 1 Kings vi. 12, and xi. 6). But what good is it for even God to try to save a man who will have his own way? And …
Thomas Champness—Broken Bread Letter xxiv (Circa A. D. 1126) to Oger, Regular Canon
To Oger, Regular Canon [34] Bernard blames him for his resignation of his pastoral charge, although made from the love of a calm and pious life. None the less, he instructs him how, after becoming a private person, he ought to live in community. To Brother Oger, the Canon, Brother Bernard, monk but sinner, wishes that he may walk worthily of God even to the end, and embraces him with the fullest affection. 1. If I seem to have been too slow in replying to your letter, ascribe it to my not having …
Saint Bernard of Clairvaux—Some Letters of Saint Bernard, Abbot of Clairvaux Epistle xxv. To Gregoria.
To Gregoria. Gregory to Gregoria, Lady of the Bed-chamber (cubiculariæ) to Augusta. I have received the longed for letters of your Sweetness, in which you have been at pains all through to accuse yourself of a multitude of sins: but I know that you fervently love the Almighty Lord, and I trust in His mercy that the sentence which was pronounced with regard to a certain holy woman proceeds from the mouth of the Truth with regard to you: Her sins, which are many, are forgiven her, for she loved …
Saint Gregory the Great—the Epistles of Saint Gregory the Great "And the Life. " How Christ is the Life.
This, as the former, being spoken indefinitely, may be universally taken, as relating both to such as are yet in the state of nature, and to such as are in the state of grace, and so may be considered in reference to both, and ground three points of truth, both in reference to the one, and in reference to the other; to wit, 1. That our case is such as we stand in need of his help, as being the Life. 2. That no other way but by him, can we get that supply of life, which we stand in need of, for he …
John Brown (of Wamphray)—Christ The Way, The Truth, and The Life "And There is None that Calleth Upon Thy Name, that Stirreth up Himself to Take Hold on Thee,"
Isaiah lxiv. 7.--"And there is none that calleth upon thy name, that stirreth up himself to take hold on thee," &c. They go on in the confession of their sins. Many a man hath soon done with that a general notion of sin is the highest advancement in repentance that many attain to. You may see here sin and judgment mixed in thorough other(315) in their complaint. They do not so fix their eyes upon their desolate estate of captivity, as to forget their provocations. Many a man would spend more affection, …
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning How to be Admonished are those who Give Away what is their Own, and those who Seize what Belongs to Others.
(Admonition 21.) Differently to be admonished are those who already give compassionately of their own, and those who still would fain seize even what belongs to others. For those who already give compassionately of their own are to be admonished not to lift themselves up in swelling thought above those to whom they impart earthly things; not to esteem themselves better than others because they see others to be supported by them. For the Lord of an earthly household, in distributing the ranks and …
Leo the Great—Writings of Leo the Great The Authority and Utility of the Scriptures
2 Tim. iii. 16.--"All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness." We told you that there was nothing more necessary to know than what our end is, and what the way is that leads to that end. We see the most part of men walking at random,--running an uncertain race,--because they do not propose unto themselves a certain scope to aim at, and whither to direct their whole course. According to men's particular …
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning Adoption
'As many as received him to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name.' John 1:12. Having spoken of the great points of faith and justification, we come next to adoption. The qualification of the persons is, As many as received him.' Receiving is put for believing, as is clear by the last words, to them that believe in his name.' The specification of the privilege is, to them gave he power to become the sons of God.' The Greek word for power, exousia, signifies …
Thomas Watson—A Body of Divinity Proverbs
Many specimens of the so-called Wisdom Literature are preserved for us in the book of Proverbs, for its contents are by no means confined to what we call proverbs. The first nine chapters constitute a continuous discourse, almost in the manner of a sermon; and of the last two chapters, ch. xxx. is largely made up of enigmas, and xxxi. is in part a description of the good housewife. All, however, are rightly subsumed under the idea of wisdom, which to the Hebrew had always moral relations. The Hebrew …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links Proverbs 28:19 NIVProverbs 28:19 NLTProverbs 28:19 ESVProverbs 28:19 NASBProverbs 28:19 KJV
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