Bible Thoughts December 5, 1999
"I went by the field of the sluggard, and by the vineyard of the man
void of understanding, And, lo, it was all grown over with thorns,
The face thereof was covered with nettles, And the stone wall thereof
was broken down"(Proverbs 24:30-31).
It was not difficult to identify the lazy person of Solomon's day. It is not hard to recognize the lazy/slothful person of our day. Look at their houses, look at their crops, look at their work habits, etc. Idleness and neglect is inexcusable in a healthy person. Even Adam and Eve were to care for the garden.
"Then I beheld, and considered well; I saw, and received instruction; Yet a little sleep a little slumber, A little folding of the hands to sleep; So shall thy poverty come as a robber, And thy want as an armed man"(Proverbs 24:32-34).
Laziness catches up with people. The writer had learned a lesson from his observations. When all that a person desires to do is to rest and "take it easy," a consequence must be paid. Poverty is the result of such inactivity. The "want" will come upon a person as does an "armed man" who would rob a person of his goods.
"The sluggard saith, There is a lion without: I shall be slain in the streets("Proverbs 22:13).
There are flimsy excuses for one not doing what should be done. The imaginary lions can be everywhere. They come in the form of excuses. Such can be pretty convincing. As convincing as the threat of a lion to the sluggard, it is easy to justify, if one has a mind to do so, not meeting one's responsibilities. If one does not desire to do something, an excuse can be invented.
"How long wilt thou sleep, O sluggard? When wilt thou arise out of thy sleep?"(Proverbs 6:9).
The sleep of indifference hinders many from the work they should be doing in the Lord's service. Such sleepers contribute little to the cause of Christ. They are always waiting on someone else to do something for them. There is little interest in seeing that the Lord's work is carried out in the area. The faithful are always hoping that something will occur to wake such folks out of their slumber. Wonder if the shout of the Lord when he returns will wake them?
"As vinegar to the teeth, and as smoke to the eyes, So is the sluggard to them that send him"(Proverbs 10:26).
Have you ever hired a lazy man to perform a task? If so, then you know exactly what Solomon is saying. They prove to be an irritation rather than a help. Do you wonder how the Lord feels about those who are sent to perform His work and they never "get around to it?" Such folks have time and efforts for everything the world has to offer, but drag their heels when it comes to serving the God that made them.
"Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise"(Proverbs 6:6).
Have you ever observed an ant hill? Seen the activity? Wondered how such little creatures could keep up with that much work? The writer is encouraging those who would be lazy to take a lesson from one of God's creatures. He would go on to talk about how they had food for the summer and stored up for the winter. The ants were prepared. The spiritual sluggard thinks not what will happen in the future. Always planning to be more active in the Lord's kingdom, more faithful in fellowshipping the saints, more energetic in supporting the Lords cause, they end up unprepared for they lacked a vision of the future.
"The sluggard is wiser in his own conceit than seven men that can render a reason"(Proverbs 26:16).
The sluggard can always come up with a "reason" for not doing something. Not listening to those who are wiser and more experienced, he manages to avoid responsibility because he is sold on his own wisdom(?). Do you not know what righteous people call such reasoning? Excuses. Every faithful disciple has heard a bucketful of them. They cover the spectrum. Such a one views his own explanation as ample reason not to become too deeply involved in the Lord's work.
"Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a people for his own possession, zealous of good works"(Titus 2:10).
The opposite of laziness or indifference is the zeal of the faithful disciple. How is it that many can always find something to do for the Lord, sacrifice time and effort for His cause and the study of His word while others never seem to be able to make it to services, assist in a work day, study their Bible lessons, encourage others in working for the Lord, and set a proper example of righteousness to others? Who has the zeal? How will the Lord judge me in the last day?