Hard-earned money is the reward for hard work. There is nothing that gladdens the heart of an employee or a laborer more than receiving their wage or salary at the end of the month. Abraham Lincoln put it this way: “Money earned is better than money given.” The truth is, every worker feels a sense of pride with their hard-earned money compared to receiving an allowance or money for something they did not labor for. The fact that you labored for your money often compels you to make the most of it in your spending. There is usually a care to spend wisely and to purchase what is needed at the right time. This is not to say that some people are not careless spenders; however, the effort they put into earning their money often brings a feeling of regret for any careless or reckless spending.
THE CONSEQUENCE OF MONEY NOT EARNED
The reverse is the case when money is obtained or acquired without labor—when money is gotten in an unscrupulous way. The reality is, money earned through hard work is seen by some as a sheer waste of time and energy, which is why some opt for shameful, discrediting ways of making money. Stealing, armed robbery, “419” (fraud), and money-doubling schemes have been embraced by many as “smart” ways of making money. Some even go further by altering figures in financial documents in their bid to acquire wealth. But the truth is, can you be bold and confident enough to tell your friends and loved ones your source of income? Can you be proud enough to tell your family that your wealth is ill-gotten?
The same way this money comes, it goes; it doesn’t last. No matter how much effort is put into maintaining ill-gotten wealth, it will perish at some point. Moreover, money not earned through hard work is often spent recklessly, and before long, it is gone. This is because no value is placed on it. The amount of labor a person invests in earning money determines the value they place on it.
GIVING VALUE TO YOUR MONEY
You must eat the fruit of your labor. You must place value on your money. Embrace the concept of labor. The scriptures say, “Wealth gotten by vanity shall be diminished, but he that gathereth by labor shall increase” and again, “In all labor there is profit.” Make your money work for you; build wealth that will last. Disabuse your mind from wrong ways of making money and commit yourself to credible and worthy ways of earning it, thereby leaving a legacy for your family and future generations.
Scripture: Proverbs 13:11 Proverbs 14:23
