BDBD is Proverb 16:26

The practical nature of this proverb is simple to understand. Having a craving like hunger and a desire for sustenance forces a person to work. The Holy Spirit thru Paul tells Christians, “If a man will not work, he shall not eat.” (2 Thessalonians 3:10) Not identical, but a similar subject. The Spirit parallels this with, “He who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with his own hands, that he may have something to share with those in need.” (Ephesians 4:28) Not working is equated with stealing.

What is not so obvious is that there is another application of these verses besides the obvious feeding of the pains of hunger for food. Why do we labor for God and others who are not my own family? What appetite drives me to continue to work for the Lord? If I become idle or want to stop, what hunger can drive me on? What do I crave that moves me to charity? The wrong reason will find me stopping.

I am reminded, “…do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised. For in just a very little while, “He who is coming will come and will not delay. But my righteous one will live by faith. And if he shrinks back, I will not be pleased with him.” (Hebrews 10:35-38) When Jesus comes he will bring either a reward or a reprimand to his people for the passage in the book of Hebrews is to Christians.