Proverbs 28:19

¹⁹ He that tills his land shall have plenty of bread: but he that follows after vain persons shall have poverty enough.

¹⁹ Those who work their land will have abundant food,
    but those who chase fantasies will have their fill of poverty.

Did any of us make any new year resolutions?  Come on, now, be honest with me . . . did you? Did you determine to work harder, or work smarter, or find more time for the worthwhile things of life?

Well, then, you can go to sleep and not read the rest of this post.

Not.

Seriously, I think we can all use reminders of the need to be diligent and faithful -- to avoid the vain things and vain people of this world. The root of the word translated "follow" up there actually means "to chase after." Perhaps it would be a good thing for all of us to consider . . . what am I chasing after in my life?

Am I chasing after people who are idle and careless, who don't choose to worship our Father and live lives for His glory? Am I chasing after foolish dreams and fantasies, instead of being grateful for the tremendous blessings that He has given me? (Please don't misinterpret here. I'm not talking about the God-given dreams of good and righteous things that we can accomplish for Him; I am talking about pipe dreams and distractions. Things that keep us from focusing on what we can do for Him and for others.)
Many people are consumed with meaningless and empty activities, instead of worthwhile ones. We would do well to get our education and training, to work hard for our families, to give to the Lord's work with wisdom and discernment, and find our joy in God's Word and godly relationships. If we spend countless hours "chasing" frivolous people (on the television or the computer) and wasting our time, we are conforming to the mold that the world would have us fit.
There's an old saying that just really seems to fit here:

Only one life - it will soon be past.
Only what's done for Christ will last.

But on the judgment day, fire will reveal what kind of work each builder has done. The fire will show if a person's work has any value. I Corinthinans 3:13