Industry, in the context of the Bible, refers to diligent and productive labor, often associated with the virtues of hard work, stewardship, and the wise use of resources. The Scriptures provide numerous insights into the value and principles of industry, emphasizing its role in personal responsibility, community welfare, and spiritual growth.

Diligence and Hard Work

The Bible frequently commends diligence and hard work as virtues that lead to prosperity and fulfillment. Proverbs 10:4 states, "Idle hands make one poor, but diligent hands bring wealth." This verse highlights the contrast between laziness and industriousness, underscoring the material and spiritual benefits of the latter. Similarly, Proverbs 12:24 declares, "The hand of the diligent will rule, but laziness ends in forced labor," suggesting that industrious individuals are more likely to attain positions of influence and leadership.

Stewardship and Resource Management

Industry is closely linked to the concept of stewardship, where individuals are called to manage their resources wisely. In the Parable of the Talents (Matthew 25:14-30), Jesus illustrates the importance of industriousness in the Kingdom of God. The servants who actively invested and multiplied their master's resources were commended, while the one who buried his talent out of fear was rebuked. This parable teaches that God values the responsible and productive use of the gifts and opportunities He provides.

Community and Economic Welfare

The Scriptures also address the communal aspect of industry, emphasizing its role in supporting family and community. In 1 Thessalonians 4:11-12, Paul advises believers to "aspire to live quietly, to attend to your own matters, and to work with your own hands, as we instructed you. Then you will behave properly toward outsiders, without being dependent on anyone." This passage encourages self-sufficiency and the importance of contributing to the community's well-being through honest labor.

Warnings Against Idleness

The Bible warns against idleness and its detrimental effects on individuals and society. Proverbs 6:6-11 uses the example of the ant to admonish the sluggard, urging them to consider the ant's industrious nature and prepare for the future. The passage warns that poverty will come upon the lazy "like a robber, and your need like an armed man." This vivid imagery serves as a caution against the dangers of neglecting one's responsibilities.

Spiritual Implications of Industry

Industry is not only a matter of physical labor but also has spiritual implications. Colossians 3:23-24 instructs believers, "Whatever you do, work at it with your whole being, for the Lord and not for men, because you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as your reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving." This exhortation elevates work to an act of worship, encouraging Christians to approach their tasks with a heart of service to God.

Conclusion

The Bible presents industry as a multifaceted virtue that encompasses diligence, stewardship, community responsibility, and spiritual devotion. Through various passages, Scripture underscores the importance of hard work and its positive impact on both personal and communal levels, while also warning against the pitfalls of idleness.Genesis 2:15
And the LORD God took the man, and put him into the garden of Eden to dress it and to keep it.
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Exodus 23:12
Six days you shall do your work, and on the seventh day you shall rest: that your ox and your ass may rest, and the son of your handmaid, and the stranger, may be refreshed.
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Exodus 35:2
Six days shall work be done, but on the seventh day there shall be to you an holy day, a sabbath of rest to the LORD: whoever does work therein shall be put to death.
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Deuteronomy 5:13
Six days you shall labor, and do all your work:
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Proverbs 10:4,5
He becomes poor that deals with a slack hand: but the hand of the diligent makes rich.
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Proverbs 12:11,24,27
He that tills his land shall be satisfied with bread: but he that follows vain persons is void of understanding.
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Proverbs 13:4,11,23
The soul of the sluggard desires, and has nothing: but the soul of the diligent shall be made fat.
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Proverbs 14:4,23
Where no oxen are, the crib is clean: but much increase is by the strength of the ox.
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Proverbs 16:26
He that labors labors for himself; for his mouth craves it of him.
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Proverbs 20:13
Love not sleep, lest you come to poverty; open your eyes, and you shall be satisfied with bread.
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Proverbs 21:5
The thoughts of the diligent tend only to plenty; but of every one that is hasty only to want.
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Proverbs 22:29
See you a man diligent in his business? he shall stand before kings; he shall not stand before mean men.
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Proverbs 27:23-27
Be you diligent to know the state of your flocks, and look well to your herds.
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Proverbs 28:19
He that tills his land shall have plenty of bread: but he that follows after vain persons shall have poverty enough.
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Proverbs 30:25-28
The ants are a people not strong, yet they prepare their meat in the summer;
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Proverbs 31:13-27
She seeks wool, and flax, and works willingly with her hands.
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Ecclesiastes 1:3
What profit has a man of all his labor which he takes under the sun?
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Ecclesiastes 2:10,11,17-22
And whatever my eyes desired I kept not from them, I withheld not my heart from any joy; for my heart rejoiced in all my labor: and this was my portion of all my labor.
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Ecclesiastes 9:10
Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, where you go.
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Ecclesiastes 11:4,6
He that observes the wind shall not sow; and he that regards the clouds shall not reap.
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Romans 12:11
Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord;
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Ephesians 4:28
Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labor, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needs.
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1 Thessalonians 4:11,12
And that you study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you;
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2 Thessalonians 3:10-12
For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat.
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1 Timothy 5:8
But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he has denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel.
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Commentaries were Anciently Written Upon the Scriptures; Harmonies ...
... their value and importance, than the industry bestowed upon ... and only four, Gospels
in general use with ... to the ancient copies of the Scriptures, in refutation ...
/.../paley/evidences of christianity/section vi commentaries were anciently.htm

Peculiarities of Tennessee Synod.
... of ministerial duties requires men of great industry. ... all into] agreement with the
Scriptures, but by ... Planentwurf [constitution of the General Synod] organized ...
/.../bente/american lutheranism/peculiarities of tennessee synod.htm

Spiritual Farming --No. 4 Sowing.
... the truth into the people about honesty, industry, and self ... He expounded unto them
in all the scriptures the things ... the church ought to be more general than it ...
/.../champness/broken bread/xi spiritual farmingno 4 sowing.htm

Concerning the Ministry.
... conclude, that not only in a general apostacy it ... that which man by his own industry,
learning, and ... third proposition concerning [677] the Scriptures I before ...
/.../proposition x concerning the ministry.htm

The Cavils of the Pharisees Concerning Purification, and the ...
... 3282] and that fishing was the main industry along the ... In general, the tendency of
these eighteen decrees was of ... day with the study of the Scriptures, and by ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter xxxi the cavils of.htm

Concerning Salutations and Recreations, &C.
... For we know well enough what industry, and what pains ... is all one, make void this
general prohibition of ... an oath to interpret the holy scriptures according to ...
/.../proposition xv concerning salutations and.htm

From the Close of the General Conference of 1812 to the Death of ...
... gave an example of sobriety, temperance, and industry to his ... called upon him to
translate the general rules of ... Question What is your mind concerning John Wesley ...
/.../chapter 2 from the close.htm

The First Delegated General Conference of 1812
... "The Address of the General Conference to the ... "Search the Scriptures,' said Jesus ...
This holy revelation should be studied with industry, attention, and candor. ...
/.../chapter 1 the first delegated.htm

The General Conference of 1820
... without much labor and persevering industry that this ... the community with the sacred
Scriptures, the society recommended to the General Conference to ...
/.../chapter 5 the general conference.htm

Concerning Worship.
... of those acts, whether private or public, general or particular ... than in abusing man's
mind concerning this thing ... from the letter of the scriptures, and patching ...
/.../proposition xi concerning worship.htm

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