We know we should work and that being lazy is a bad ethic. We know hard work will bring a profit; but how hard should you work? Is there a point where you have to draw the line?
"Do not wear yourself out to get rich, do not trust in your own cleverness. Cast but a glance at riches and they are gone, for they will sprout wings and fly away like an eagle." Proverbs 23:4-5, NIV.
WORN OUT
Something that is worn out becomes useless, it is exhausted and we toss it away. This could be the results of heavy physical or mental labor. We need to be wise enough to know when to call it a day.
CLEVERNESS
Cleverness is appealing because we think it would be easy if we could just figure out some way, an angle, or a method and make it work we will have wealth. The Bible says do not trust in your own cleverness. It is not a caution but a command- just don't go there!
THE REASON
Riches are temporary and fleeting. (Matthew 6:19). The image of riches sprouting wings is unnatural. This is the picture of the unexpected, there is no way you can prepare for something morphing into a huge bird and flying away.
If the verse said that riches would become an animal that runs, like a deer, you might say, "Well, OK, I'll chase it and catch it," but the eagle flies beyond the ability to retrieve it, it is utterly gone.
After you have worn yourself out and have nothing left the wealth you have gotten will be fleeting. The markets will crash, or the banks close, or something will take it away and you will have spent your life, youth, your relationships and your strength and have nothing to show for it.
