In the context of the Bible, the concept of "earns" is closely related to the principles of work, reward, and the moral implications of one's actions. The term itself may not appear frequently in the biblical text, but the underlying themes are woven throughout Scripture, emphasizing the relationship between human effort, divine providence, and ethical living.

Work and Reward

The Bible consistently affirms the value of diligent work and the rewards that come from it. In Proverbs, wisdom literature often highlights the benefits of hard work and the consequences of laziness. Proverbs 14:23 states, "There is profit in all labor, but mere talk leads only to poverty." This verse underscores the principle that effort and industriousness lead to tangible benefits, while idleness results in lack.

The New Testament also addresses the concept of earning through work. In 2 Thessalonians 3:10 , Paul writes, "For even while we were with you, we gave you this command: If anyone is unwilling to work, he shall not eat." This directive emphasizes the expectation that individuals contribute through their labor to earn their sustenance, reflecting a broader biblical ethic of responsibility and community.

Spiritual Earnings

While the Bible acknowledges the importance of earning through work, it also presents a profound spiritual dimension to the concept of earning. The notion of earning God's favor or salvation through human effort is consistently refuted. Ephesians 2:8-9 declares, "For it is by grace you have been saved through faith, and this not from yourselves; it is the gift of God, not by works, so that no one can boast." This passage highlights that salvation is not something that can be earned through human deeds but is a gift from God, received through faith.

However, the Bible does speak of rewards in the context of faithful service and obedience to God. In Matthew 6:19-20 , Jesus instructs, "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal." Here, the concept of earning is transformed into a spiritual pursuit, where the focus is on eternal rewards rather than temporal gains.

Moral and Ethical Implications

The Bible also addresses the moral and ethical implications of earning, particularly in the context of justice and righteousness. In the prophetic literature, there is a strong emphasis on the ethical dimensions of economic activity. For instance, Jeremiah 22:13 warns, "Woe to him who builds his house by unrighteousness and his upper rooms by injustice, who makes his neighbor serve without pay and does not give him his wages." This verse highlights the importance of fairness and justice in economic dealings, condemning those who exploit others for personal gain.

The principle of earning is thus intricately connected to the broader biblical themes of justice, righteousness, and the ethical treatment of others. The Bible calls for integrity in all aspects of life, including how one earns a living and treats others in the process.

Conclusion

The biblical perspective on earning encompasses both the practical aspects of work and reward and the deeper spiritual and ethical dimensions. While human effort is valued and rewarded, the ultimate emphasis is on the grace of God and the pursuit of eternal treasures. The Bible calls believers to engage in honest work, to seek justice and righteousness, and to rely on God's grace for salvation and ultimate reward.7936. sakar -- to hire
... hired. Word Origin a prim. root Definition to hire NASB Word Usage earns
(2), hire (3), hired (11), hires (2), surely hired (1). earn ...
/hebrew/7936.htm - 6k

6213a. asah -- do, make
... do as has been done (1), do as i have done (1), doer (1), doers (1), does (48),
doing (63), done (327), done you will do (1), done* (1), earns (1), established ...
/hebrew/6213a.htm - 8k

Religion not Godliness
... own sakes, and not for God's sake and for their countrymen's sake; and so, as the
Prophet says, they sow much and bring in little, and he who earns wages earns ...
/.../kingsley/twenty-five village sermons/sermon ii religion not godliness.htm

The Speaking Voice
... However great it may be, the labor is never lost which earns for you the reputation
of one who habitually uses the language of a gentleman, or of a lady. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/kleiser/talks on talking/the speaking voice.htm

The Seventh Book
... man? Wantonness in poverty earns the more reproach, and a worthless fellow
is more heavily censured if his condition is wretched. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/salvian/on the government of god/the seventh book.htm

Lost Earnings
... From the boy who, by holding a horse, or running errands, earns threepence, and
puts it into a pocket with a hole at the bottom, to the man or woman who puts ...
/.../howard/standards of life and service/xiv lost earnings.htm

The Third Wall.
... wherever it may! The like happens if an enemy attacks a town. The first to
rouse up the rest earns glory and thanks. Why then should ...
/.../luther/first principles of the reformation/the third wall.htm

Some Man Will Say: "What Then Does it Profit a Servant of God...
... be towards his commonwealth, who is a citizen of that eternal City, the heavenly
Jerusalem, but that even what with labor of his own hands he earns, he should ...
/.../augustine/of the work of monks /section 32 some man will.htm

Training of Ministers and Teachers Neglected.
... "In Providence," Muhlenberg wrote later on, "I have a splendid young man, who keeps
school in winter, and in summer earns his living by doing manual labor." In ...
/.../bente/american lutheranism/training of ministers and teachers.htm

Our Deserts
... God has not to go out of his way to reward him and make him happy; his own good
deeds make him happy; he earns happiness in the comfort of a good conscience ...
/.../kingsley/the good news of god/sermon xxxviii our deserts.htm

And it Should be Remarked in Passing that this Force Upon a Man to ...
... It is not by making a man a State wage-earner that you can prevent him thinking
principally about the very difficult way he earns his wages. ...
/.../chesterton/whats wrong with the world/chapter 18 and it should.htm

Our Need of a World to Win.
... It earns the gold with which to finance the great purpose of Jesus' life, and of
his own life, namely, the purpose of winning men, and of winning a whole world ...
/.../gordon/quiet talks with world winners/our need of a world.htm

Earns (3 Occurrences)
...Earns (3 Occurrences). ... You clothe yourselves, but no one is warm, and he who earns
wages earns wages to put them into a bag with holes in it." (WEB NAS RSV). ...
/e/earns.htm - 7k

Earn (6 Occurrences)
... You clothe yourselves, but no one is warm, and he who earns wages earns wages to
put them into a bag with holes in it." (Root in WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS NAS ...
/e/earn.htm - 8k

Purse (7 Occurrences)
... You clothe yourselves, but no one is warm, and he who earns wages earns wages
to put them into a bag with holes in it." (See NAS NIV). ...
/p/purse.htm - 10k

Warm (25 Occurrences)
... You clothe yourselves, but no one is warm, and he who earns wages earns wages to
put them into a bag with holes in it." (WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS NAS RSV NIV ...
/w/warm.htm - 15k

Earnings (6 Occurrences)

/e/earnings.htm - 8k

Earring (7 Occurrences)

/e/earring.htm - 10k

Sown (45 Occurrences)
... You clothe yourselves, but no one is warm, and he who earns wages earns wages to
put them into a bag with holes in it." (WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV). ...
/s/sown.htm - 20k

Holes (36 Occurrences)
... You clothe yourselves, but no one is warm, and he who earns wages earns wages to
put them into a bag with holes in it." (WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS NAS RSV NIV ...
/h/holes.htm - 17k

Clothe (52 Occurrences)
... You clothe yourselves, but no one is warm, and he who earns wages earns wages to
put them into a bag with holes in it." (WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT RSV NIV ...
/c/clothe.htm - 22k

Wages (52 Occurrences)
... You clothe yourselves, but no one is warm, and he who earns wages earns wages to
put them into a bag with holes in it." (WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS NAS RSV NIV). ...
/w/wages.htm - 28k

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