The 12th chapter of Proverbs is a list of contrasts: the good man v. the crafty man (v2), the noble wife v. the disgraceful wife (v.4), the righteous v. the wicked (v.5), and so on. In verse 24 we see the diligent contrasted with the lazy.
Many people are caught up in a conflicting paradigm concerning their work and/or career. On the one hand, they want to climb the corporate ladder, receive promotions, and enjoy the benefits of a higher income. On the other hand, they don't want to do any more than is absolutely necessary in their current position.
We live in a "just enough" culture when it comes to work. If you need proof, what kind of customer service did you receive the last time you went to a restaurant, department store, or even the gym? A few months ago I had to purchase a refrigerator for the house we have rented back in Charleston. I went to a local appliance store, walked through the refrigerators, opened them up, looked at all the tags, and did everything I could to let the people working their know that I wanted to buy something. There was a group of employees across the room talking to each other. They saw me... but never approached me. The end result was I left and went somewhere else. Three people at this store, whose name I won't reveal (but it sounds like someone's name--two initials then a last name that could be a first name) went to work that day, but didn't work that day.
Here's the point: when we apply ourselves, do our best, and go over and above what is required, we set ourselves up for promotion. You may be a waiter today, but apply yourself and you'll be a general manager tomorrow. You may just be an assembly line worker today, but do your work with excellence and one day you'll be promoted to leadership.
Here's a goal for each of us at work: work yourself out of a job. That is, do your work so well and with such excellence that your boss or owner will be compelled to move you up in his or her business.
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