Know When To Quit

“Know When To Quit”

By Zach Wood

Proverbs 23:4-5 (NLT)

“Don’t wear yourself out trying to get rich. Be wise enough to know when to quit. In the blink of an eye wealth disappears, for it will sprout wings and fly away like an eagle.”

I cannot begin to tell you the number of times I’ve read devotions, heard sermons or read articles that discussed the importance of not being hung up on money.  We know God’s Word teaches us not to get hung up on being so concerned about wealth. 

We have countless reality shows on TV where people compete for a big grand prize, which is always a large sum of money.  Some of these shows have contestants that will do absolutely crazy things just to win money.  Many of them don’t care who they hurt or what they have to do in order to win.  It can get pretty crazy watching some of these people do whatever it takes to win.

Now, before we come down on those people we see on TV, we better not point the finger too much at them before we look at our own lives and see how much the same we really are.  Just because we have Christ in our lives does not exempt us from becoming money hungry many times as well.  We “know” we are to ask Him to provide, but often, we get just as hung up on the green stuff as people in the world do. 

Please don’t get me wrong and think that working hard to make ends meet is wrong.  I’m not saying that people who have to work extra, extra hard to keep food on the table and bills paid are wrong in what they are doing.  Sometimes, families just have to do what they gotta do.  However, what I do want to warn and encourage against is always wanting more and more and more.  Thinking that if we just make a little more, then we’ll be set.

It’s important to provide for our families, but it’s also important for us to know when we need to quit and not do anymore for day or on the weekend because we need time with those we love.  Working hard is good, but there comes a time when we have to put work aside and focus on those we love and spend quality time with them.  Money needs will always be there and sometimes we just have to stop and focus on those who are important to us.

Let this Proverb be an encouragement to us all that God will provide for us.  Yes, He wants us to work hard and provide for our families, but He wants desires for us to be part of that family as well and be present as much as we can to make family memories.