How Character is Forged.

 

 

How Character Is Forged (Proverbs 23:7)

What is your aim and purpose as you begin the day’s work?

 You may say, I intend to do as much business and get through as much work as possible.

But what else, what beyond these aims? You may answer, I mean to support my family, to keep even with the world and if possible, to lay aside something against bad times and old age.

This is very good as far as it goes— but you will remember that the platypus builds his domain, the bee constructs her wax cell, and the ant fills her storehouse upon the same principle. They toil to supply present wants, make a provision for the future, and look forward to a season of rest and plenty as the reward of the labour and forethought of today. 

In a platypus, a bee, or an ant, this is sound policy and I would that all who profess and call themselves men came up to this standard: such habits would soon sweep away many-tenths of the poverty in the land. Still, even this purpose is altogether too low for a man. Reason ought to go beyond instinct and religion beyond reason; therefore, praiseworthy in these little creatures would be utterly unworthy of a man and a Christian.

Do not forget that, amid the cares of this world, as a man thinks in his heart, so is he (Proverbs.Chapter 23:7).

If, in his daily work, the crucial thoughts of a man’s heart reaches only his own comfort, credit and competence, then his life is sheer organized selfishness. He and his family are everything; Christ and His kingdom are nothing and every such person is literally “without God in the world” (Ephesians. chapter 2-v12). It is  not just for you to say whether your daily labor shall be a sin or a sacrifice and a success or a failure. It applies everywhere and always that the thought of the heart determines character, and developed character gives higher quality to good conduct. This holds good and true, not only on the Sunday and in religious events but also equally on the weekday and in everyday work.

Whatever he or she may be doing, as a person thinks in his heart, so is he; if his goals are low and his plans earthly, so is he; and if his motives are pure and his purpose high and heavenly, so is he; and as he is, so is his work.

While composing this post, I was freshly challenged by it. Any comments, viewer, pro or con?