Several verses earlier, King Solomon, the author of Proverbs, wrote: “Commit your works to the Lord and your thoughts shall be established” (Proverbs 16:3). This seemingly simple statement encapsulates an important aspect of Jewish ideology and provides an excellent means for understanding verse 16:9.
“Commit your works to the Lord” -- by dedicating yourself to serving God. Terminology such as this may make one think of sequestered nuns or missionaries knocking on doors. But, in Judaism, dedication to serving God is more about bringing the Divine into the mundane. For instance, by making a blessing before eating, a person adds an element of the Divine to the very physical act of eating.
Committing one’s work to God is often as simple as focusing one’s intent. Instead of just exercising to feel good and look fit, one can also have the intention of fulfilling the mitzvah of taking care of one’s body. When one does business, one can not only make certain to do so in an honorable and honest manner, but also to use some of the proceeds for charity.
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