“Ye have the poor with you always,” Jesus Christ said. It is as true today as it was then. Whether it’s the plight of people in the inner cities, in rural Appalachia or crossing the border, poverty is a serious issue even in the United States of America, the land of opportunity. Dire problems like homelessness, addiction and more trace back to poverty. What does poverty trace back to? Not in every case, but in many cases, it is caused by a poor work ethic.

Poor work ethic, laziness and refusing responsibility and accountability are causing massive problems even in the wealthiest nation in history. They lead to a push for more Big Government intervention and welfare, even for replacing constitutional government with communism.

“The desire of the slothful killeth him; for his hands refuse to labour. He coveteth greedily all the day long: but the righteous giveth and spareth not” (Proverbs 21:25-26). The desire for a work-free life is self-destructive. As the lazy man witnesses others reaping the rewards of hard work, jealousy sets in. Still, he doesn’t want to follow the good example of those hard workers; he covets money and chooses “leaders” who cater to his mindset with big promises.

God has a much better solution, both nationally and individually. The Bible vividly describes the real, tangible benefits of hard work and personal responsibility. It refers to work and labor almost 800 times. It makes clear that God highly rewards hard work. “He becometh poor that dealeth with a slack hand: but the hand of the diligent maketh rich” (Proverbs 10:4).

Hard work often leads to wealth, but even when it does not, you still benefit. Proverbs 14:23 states: “In all labour there is profit: but the talk of the lips tendeth only to penury.” Some of that profit comes in the form of money, but much of it comes in other forms, which is far more beneficial, since riches “fly away as an eagle toward heaven” (Proverbs 23:4-5). Circumstances beyond your control can take away your wealth. But there are higher motivations for working hard.

“There is nothing better for a man, than that he should eat and drink, and that he should make his soul enjoy good in his labour. This also I saw, that it was from the hand of God. … Wherefore I perceive that there is nothing better, than that a man should rejoice in his own works; for that is his portion …” (Ecclesiastes 2:24; 3:22). God wants you to come home after a day of hard work feeling fulfilled and taking time to rejuvenate. Solomon wrote that there is nothing better.

Both physical labor and mental labor produce pleasant sensations. Toiling in the elements all day leads to a feeling of satisfying tiredness and an increased appreciation for the upcoming night of rest. Toiling to focus on something worthwhile and eliminating distractions to complete a project causes a delightful sort of mental fatigue, which also makes a good night of sleep all the more satisfying. And when you busy yourself by putting your head down and working hard rather than with idleness, jealousy and gossip, many relationship problems sort themselves out. God created us not to seek ease and leisure but to produce, rest and produce more.

When you indulge in idleness rather than work, you accomplish nothing, your responsibilities are neglected, you are forced to try to make up for lost time, and you feel stressed and unfulfilled.

In the New Testament, the Apostle Paul gave this strong admonition: “For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat. For we hear that there are some which walk among you disorderly, working not at all, but are busybodies. Now them that are such we command and exhort by our Lord Jesus Christ, that with quietness they work, and eat their own bread. … And if any man obey not our word by this epistle, note that man, and have no company with him, that he may be ashamed” (2 Thessalonians 3:10-12, 14; see also 1 Thessalonians 4:11-12).

This is the directive of the Creator of human beings: If you don’t work, you don’t eat! Soon enough, then, you will get to work! But the attitude pervading America and the rest of the world is to avoid work and still eat, luxuriously if possible. Where does that attitude come from? See 2 Corinthians 4:4, Ephesians 2:2 and Revelation 12:9.

The ultimate motivation for working hard is not just the inherent satisfaction that comes from it. Be motivated to work so that you can obey God and become like Him. Work is so important, He included it in the Fourth Commandment: “Six days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work” (Exodus 20:9). The best workers are God the Father and Jesus Christ. Christ said, “My Father worketh hitherto, and I work” (John 5:17).

Working hard enables God to build His character in us. When we labor, God provides our needs and many of our desires. Work hard in this life, trying to become like your Father, as Jesus Christ did. Then you will have the character to help God, when He establishes His government on Earth, to teach all mankind the countless blessings of hard work.