“Much food is in the tillage of the poor: but there is that is destroyed for want of judgment.” Proverbs 13:23

We normally associate production with supply. If there is great supply, then there will be great production. Conversely, the lack of supply leads to little production. However, this passage offers a different conclusion: The poor (small supply) produces a rich (much food) increase. What are the qualities that provide such an against the grain conclusion? Diligence, discipline, and grace. The one who has little supply must be self-disciplined and diligent if his needs will be met from his short supply. Yet, even with the best discipline and diligence, he must depend on the grace of One who fed five thousand with minimal supply. This dependence does not discourage or hinder: instead, it motivates and encourages. The poor has no time nor resources to waste. Each penny, each moment becomes precious, and is used wisely and with discretion. In what areas are you poor? Perhaps you only have a short length of time to invest wisdom in your teenage child. Or maybe your income pales in comparison to the good you wish to use it for. Maybe your spouse is a miserable companion, and so you perceive your marriage to be impoverished. Perhaps your life has not taken the track you envisioned in your youth. Do these thoughts discourage you, or are you emboldened by the God of great grace to labor with diligence to produce much increase? Faith makes the discouraged to become diligent, and the poor to produce much food.