English Standard Version
There are religious traditions that point so strongly to heaven that they're accused of not having practical application. There is certainly plenty of Scripture that orients us towards heaven, but it's often done with the intention of changing life here on earth as well. We're transformed by the Holy Spirit, but God then sends us out into the world to show God's love to the world through our actions. We can't forget about our worldly obligations to love and serve one another because we get focused on heaven, and we can't forget about heaven in the event we get too focused on the world around us. There's always a balance.
Here in Proverbs, we have very practical wisdom. The ant is held up as industrious, and the proverbial sluggard here in Proverbs is addressed with the intent of motivating them to work, to create internal discipline and accountability -- or else poverty and want will win the day. Work hard, we're told, or else we end up wasting our gifts, which are themes Jesus picks up on in certain parables, where we are encouraged to work, and yet to remember that it's not our work that makes us worthy, but we do so out of gratitude for the grace extended to us.
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