Welcome to Week 6 of our Family Bible Study in the book of Proverbs! Today, we’ll discuss the biblical and practical reasons why hard work matters. We always have a choice when it comes to our responsibilities: should we slack off or work hard? Let’s spend today talking about and learning to live this out!
Why Proverbs? Proverbs is a book of wisdom for real life–helping us make good decisions, work hard, and choose wise friends. But it’s not merely good advice. Biblical wisdom is knowledge applied to everyday life for the glory of God. The goal of this Bible study series is to lead our kids in developing practical skills to live by God’s rules in God’s world. Let’s inspire our children to embrace these timeless truths and deepen their understanding of God’s purpose for their lives!
This post is divided into two parts. The first section is aimed at parents to help you gain a better understanding of the Bible passage before teaching it to your children. The second section is the Family Bible Study, including a prayer, discussion questions, and a family activity.
Click here for week 5 of our Proverbs Bible study – Listening to Good Advice
Let’s Study the Bible Together: For Parents
Read Bible Passage: Proverbs 10:4 “A slack hand causes poverty, but the hand of the diligent makes rich.”
Big Idea: God’s people are called to live wisely by working hard instead of choosing laziness.
In Biblical wisdom literature, especially in the Proverbs, we find general patterns rather than definitive promises. One of those patterns is seen in our passage: the diligent are usually rewarded, while the lazy face difficulties. Proverbs isn’t promising that hard workers will always be successful, or that lazy people will always fail. These aren’t guarantees. But hard work matters. And it’s not just because we think that it’s going to work out well. It’s a spiritual act of faithfulness and humility before the Lord.
The Lazy Person
The ESV Bible translates the sluggard or lazy person as a “slack hand.” This person may avoid responsibility, make excuses, and fail to complete the task. The spiritual issue rises to the surface as this person refuses to respond to God’s design for work and growth. This often leads to missed opportunities and poverty. Having a lazy weekend or a bad day/week/month at work doesn’t make someone lazy. It’s a characteristic that is built over time.
The Diligent Person
In contrast, the diligent person is faithful, responsible, and steady. Aren’t these the characteristics we want for ourselves and our children? The result is riches. However, to put this in perspective for the agricultural society of Israel, having riches was often associated with having good crops and enough food to feed one’s family. It’s far from the extravagant wealth that we associate with being rich in 2025.
God’s wisdom tells us that hard work matters. And it’s more than physical results. Colossians 3:23 says:
“Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.” As followers of Jesus, we work hard because, in reality, we are serving Him!
Heart Connection
Of course, God’s love for us is not dependent on the amount of work that we can accomplish. God doesn’t love us more because we had a productive week at work. God doesn’t love our kids more because they received straight A’s in school. It’s similar to the theme of faith and works in the Book of James. We don’t work to earn God’s favor; we work hard because we already have God’s favor. It drives us to love Him, love others, and represent Him well.
Discussion Questions
Here are two sets of questions: one for younger children (7 and under) and another for older children (8 and up). If you have kids in both age groups, I encourage you to mix it up to reach the whole family!
Younger Kid Questions
What does it mean to have a slack hand or be lazy?
What are some ways kids can work hard at home or school?
Why do you think God wants us to be like the ant (Proverb 6:6)?
How does working hard show that we love and trust God?
What’s one job or chore you can do with a happy, hardworking heart this week?
Older Kid Questions
What does Proverbs 10:4 teach us about the consequences of laziness and the rewards of diligence?
Why do you think diligence is part of living wisely in God’s world?
What are some areas in your life where you tend to be lazy? How can you grow?
How does Proverbs 6:6 (consider the ant) help us understand what diligence looks like in real life?
Read Colossians 3:23. What does it mean to work with your hands unto the Lord, and how can that change your attitude?
Note for Parents: You know your kids better than anyone else, so feel free to adjust the questions to work for your family. Enjoy!
Family Life Application
Read Colossians 3:23 “Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.”
Hard Work Matters Activity: Give each person in your family an opportunity to come up with one way they can work hard this week, such as setting the table, cleaning a room, or doing yard work. Read this verse together before splitting up to complete the task. Discuss it once everyone is finished!
Additional Resources:
Week 5 of our Proverbs study – The Importance to Listening to Advice
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