Brother to Destruction

There are people who are busy. There are busybodies. And then there are people who work.

Work is good. Work is generally productive. Work is most often tiring.

Many people naturally equate ‘work’ with physical effort, maybe some grunting and huffing and puffing, and weary muscles at the end of the day. Of course, not all work wears a person out physically. Some work is mentally exhausting. ‘Work’ is a broad term that describes human effort to accomplish things. Sometimes, our ‘play’ involves work.

We all have our opinions about ‘my’ work, ‘their’ work, and all the things that people call work that aren’t work at all. Set your opinions aside for a moment and listen to Solomon. He wrote something quite practical.

He also who is slack in his work

Is brother to him who destroys.

—Proverbs 18:9

I think the proverb speaks for itself, but if not, re-read the proverb and then pause...think of the results.

• What is the result of the one who is slack in his work?
• What is the result of the one who destroys?

Solomon presents us with a fact about work. He approaches the fact from a negative standpoint but makes no judgment, offers no admonition, and gives no advice. He just leaves it out there for you and me to consider.

I suppose someone might want to contest Solomon’s conclusion. Someone else might want to issue a personal declaration justifying their work or lack of it. Surely someone will quip in agreement, “Well, isn't that the truth!”

Solomon doesn’t target anyone in particular. Again, he just leaves this truth out there for us to consider.

I immediately thought about a few lingering projects at my house. I pictured the ‘unfinished’ work and then recognized that while it is unfinished, it looks similar to destruction. I can rationalize that it is a ‘work in progress.’ But to be honest, I’ve been ‘slack in my work’ on those projects.

Now I have a choice.

As with other proverbs, do you see how this proverb works?

Solomon did not tell his reader what to do. He simply helps his reader face a truth in life. For this proverb, it doesn’t matter if you are a Christian or a criminal. You must decide what you will do with the truth presented.

It is the kind of proverb that motivates me to do better. And it also reminds me of some other teachings about work in the Bible. Consider…

If anyone is not willing to work, then he is not to eat, either. 

(The full passage in 2 Thessalonians 3:10-12 is quite interesting.)

Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life and attend to your own business and work with your hands, just as we commanded you, so that you will behave properly toward outsiders and not be in any need. 

--1 Thessalonians 4:11-12

He who steals must steal no longer; but rather he must labor, performing with his own hands what is good, so that he will have something to share with the one who has need.

--Ephesians 4:28

God expects His people to work so that they are not a burden on others but rather, so they can help others. So, don’t be a slacker. Be wise.

Mark Stinnett

January 18, 2026

How Difficult is Integrity?

As a kid, the idea of integrity mostly began and ended with honesty, but now I know there’s more to it. What else should we be thinking about? What does the Bible say about integrity?

Depending on the translation that you use, the word integrity is found in the Bible only 25-45 times, and then, predominantly in the Old Testament. There, the word integrity translated a family of Hebrew words focusing on the idea of uprightness. So…?

A person who is upright, or full of integrity, certainly is one who is honest. This person does not tell lies. Yet, integrity impacts more than our verbal expressions. Integrity calls for honesty in communication, but also in one’s work and in one’s relationships.

A man or woman of integrity always does the best job he/she can do. Work includes a job for pay, volunteer work, an assigned task at school or at home, and even a self-assigned task. Each task will be considered important and will be completed.

A person of integrity works with the same effort and quality whether working for himself or working for someone else; whether working by himself or with coworkers; whether the boss is present or not.

Integrity means that you will be responsible with respect to your work. You will follow through with a task you’ve agreed to. You will complete a task that you’ve begun, even if it costs extra time and money.

In addition, you will decline to do things that you already know that you cannot do or do not have the time to do.

Paul encouraged workers to work with a good attitude as if they were working for the Lord.

Slaves, be obedient to those who are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in the sincerity of your heart, as to Christ; not by way of eyeservice, as men-pleasers, but as slaves of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart. With good will render service, as to the Lord, and not to men. 

--Ephesians 6:5–7 (NASB95)

That is working with integrity.

Integrity also involves honesty in relationships.

In your relationship with God you keep His word. You value purity, morality, goodness, holiness and righteousness. In other words, you stay focused on the path of righteousness and avoid evil.

Do not turn to the right nor to the left; 

Turn your foot from evil.

--Proverbs 4:27 (NASB95)

If you make a promise to God, you keep your word. He considers it to be a vow and expects you to honor it.

Guard your steps as you go to the house of God and draw near to listen rather than to offer the sacrifice of fools; for they do not know they are doing evil. Do not be hasty in word or impulsive in thought to bring up a matter in the presence of God. For God is in heaven and you are on the earth; therefore let your words be few. For the dream comes through much effort and the voice of a fool through many words. When you make a vow to God, do not be late in paying it; for He takes no delight in fools. Pay what you vow! It is better that you should not vow than that you should vow and not pay. Do not let your speech cause you to sin and do not say in the presence of the messenger of God that it was a mistake. Why should God be angry on account of your voice and destroy the work of your hands?
--Ecclesiastes 5:1–6 (NASB95)

A person of integrity abides by the law, but is also concerned with ethical behavior. It might be legal to take advantage of someone who is naïve or uninformed, but it is not ethical. Jesus rebuked the Pharisees for being overly concerned with the letter of the law, yet neglecting “justice and the love of God.”

But woe to you Pharisees! For you pay tithe of mint and rue and every kind of garden herb, and yet disregard justice and the love of God; but these are the things you should have done without neglecting the others.

--Luke 11:42 (NASB95)

A person of integrity is concerned about fairness whether it is beneficial for himself or not. He is concerned about the well-being of others, not just himself. This attitude translates into kindness and benevolence and generosity. (Remember Zacchaeus in Luke 19.)

A person of integrity looks at all people with value recognizing that he is really no different. He is not prejudicial, but treats everyone with respect. (Reflect on the Good Samaritan in Luke 10.)

Integrity describes a person who is righteous in all things, one who is complete in godly character, one who is of sound judgment. A person of integrity is honest, good, kind, responsible, dependable, fair, just and equitable. This person has a good reputation and values a good name.

Is integrity difficult? What do you think? It all depends on the things in life that you value.

He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God. 

— Micah 6:8 (NASB95)

Mark Stinnett

November 14, 2021

No Free Lunch

It is likely that you know someone who has invested in some sort of moneymaking scheme that did not turn out as expected.

Some folks 'invest' in the lottery. Others jump at that opportunity that was ‘too good to be true.’ Still others are looking for that ‘once in a lifetime’ deal.

There are many kinds of ‘get rich quick’ schemes. However, few people actually get rich, fewer still get rich ‘quick.’

Financial advisers talk about steady growth over time...often decades. They advise folks to start saving early in life. They do not advise you to put you money in the high risk, quick turnover kinds of ‘investments.’

Hard work and diligence pay off in the long run. We are really lucky to have such knowledgeable advisers in our day. Their research and observations are valuable.

How did people ever get along without them?

Solomon said, “There’s no such thing as a free lunch.” Well, sort of . . . . Actually, Solomon said:

   He who tills his land will have plenty of bread, 
   But he who pursues vain things lacks sense.
   --Proverbs 12:11

Hard work and patience pay off.

Isn’t is refreshing to see that God’s wisdom predates our modern research and observations and knowledge. He has practical advice for our day...
Always has...
Always will...

Be wise. Listen.