# 456 The Proverbs – ‘A manual for living’ (MSG). Proverbs 20 (2). Diligence verses laziness.

“Sluggard” – it’s not a word we use often in the 21^st Century, but despite its lack of use, the problem associated with it remains. So, what exactly is a “sluggard”?

One definition is “an habitually lazy person” (Merriam- Webster dictionary)

Other words we might use are “sloth” (with apologies to the mammal by the same name!), sluggish (meaning slow and laborious) and one you may use more often is “couch potato”, or maybe even “slouch”. Basically, it’s not a great way to be defined and if you are, then it’s obviously time to do something about it. Let’s see what Proverbs has to say:

Sluggards do not plow in season;
    so at harvest time they look but find nothing. (20:4)

As then, when the Proverbs were written, and today, the farmer has “to observe the weather closely and go to work in season – at the opportune time. One of the marks of a lazy character is that he demands his own schedule. He is too self-absorbed to notice windows of opportunity that, once closed, are gone forever.” (# 51) And this is true for us all, whether we are farmers or not!

The craving of a sluggard will be the death of him,
    because his hands refuse to work.
All day long he craves for more,
    but the righteous give without sparing.  (21:25-26)

“Dorothy Sayers defines ‘sloth’ as ‘the sin which believes in nothing, cares for nothing, seeks to know nothing, interferes with nothing, enjoys nothing, loves nothing, hates nothing, finds purpose in nothing, lives for nothing, and only remains alive because there is nothing it would die for.’ [Sayers, Creed or Chaos, p 81]” (# 51) A sin to avoid by all means!

One who is slack in his work
    is brother to one who destroys. (18:9)

“Laziness destroys … laziness hurts you; it also ruins the good of those around you … by not ‘pulling their weight’ in the family or society and thereby increasing the burden on others … the slothful think of themselves first, even in the work they choose to do. They select work for their own comfort or benefit rather that for how it helps others… Be blunt with yourself – are you slack in your work?” (# 51)

The way of the sluggard is blocked with thorns,
    but the path of the upright is a highway. (15:19)

“…laziness leads ultimately to more work.” (# 51) Consider the times in life where you may have taken a “shortcut” in some issue or job? What resulted from this behaviour? Maybe you got away with it, but eventually someone else paid for it. A building inspector recently said to me when he was checking our house prior to it selling, “This house is fine because it was built 50 years ago, the problems present in some of the newer houses,” suggesting short cuts being taken while building! So, choose the highway (the path of the upright) and look out for the way… blocked with thorns, due to laziness.

So, what is the opposite of laziness? It is diligence, which is defined as, “steady, earnest, and energetic effort: devoted and painstaking work and application to accomplish an undertaking.” (Merriam- Webster dictionary)

Proverbs says:

Diligent hands will rule, but laziness ends in forced labor. (12:24)

Ezra writes to the Israelites on their return from exile:

Whatever the God of heaven has prescribed, let it be done with diligence for the temple of the God of heaven. Why should his wrath fall on the realm of the king and of his sons? (Ezra 7:23)

Then writing concerning spiritual gifts in the church, Paul says:

⁶ We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; ⁷ if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; ⁸ if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully. (Romans 12:6-8)

Then to Timothy, Paul is giving instructions concerning his ministry and says:

¹³ Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to preaching and to teaching. ¹⁴ Do not neglect your gift, which was given you through prophecy when the body of elders laid their hands on you.

¹⁵ Be diligent in these matters; give yourself wholly to them, so that everyone may see your progress. (1 Timothy 4:13-15)

May God search our hearts and show us if in anything He has given us to do we are not being diligent as He desires, in fact being lazy. If so, then seek His forgiveness and strength to live differently into the future. Amen.