Are You All Talk?

All hard work brings a profit,

but mere talk leads only to poverty.

Proverbs 14:23 NIV

Over the years I’ve learned something about myself.

I’m the least effective and productive when I TALK a lot about what I plan on doing. And I’m most effective and productive when I simply DO what I’m planning!

You see, when I’m actually doing something, it gives me something concrete to talk about and invite people into, rather than something hypothetical to circle around endlessly.

This has been true of every high-producing person I’ve ever known.

In fact, let’s look at Jesus’s life.

Yes, he did a lot of teaching. But he was a man of action more than talk.

A perfect example is the story of Jesus healing the paralyzed man lowered through the ceiling, in Mark 2.

Jesus was teaching in a house that was standing-room only. Because there was no more room, a paralyzed man’s friends cut a hole in the roof and lowered him down right next to Jesus so he could be healed.

What does Jesus do?

He forgave his sins, then healed him. Then the man “got up, took his mat and walked out in full view of them all. This amazed everyone and they praised God, saying, ‘We have never seen anything like this!'” (Mark 2:12).

This is such a powerful example because Jesus’s action proved the power of his words!

Because Jesus was able to heal the paralyzed man in front of a crowd, it also proved his power and authority to forgive his sins.

This blew people away, because they had never seen anything like this before.

Now, let’s turn this principle from both proverbs and Jesus’s life around on you: where are you “merely talking” where you should be “taking action”?

• Is it time to share Jesus with a coworker rather than talking about “lifestyle evangelism” at small group?
• Is it time to start a business rather than just talk about it?
• Is it time to get on your knees and pray instead of talking about how important a powerful prayer life is?
• Is it time to serve your city rather than talking about the mercy and servant-leadership of Jesus?
• Is it time to be an active parent rather than talk about how you should really be more engaged with your kids when you come home from work?

Apply this in two ways today.

1. Act where you’ve simply been talking about something. Take the first step toward whatever it is you KNOW you must do.
2. Encourage a friend, family member, or fellow churchgoer who is more of a “talker” than a “doer.” Help them get started.

Remember the wise words of today’s proverb: hard work ALWAYS profits, mere talk leads ONLY to poverty.

Now get after it, today!

Devotion by Jordan Loftis, author of The Men With Bare Feet and host of The Bible Better Podcast.