Laziness

(Prov 26:14 GW)  As a door turns on its hinges, so the lazy person turns on his bed.

This morning we continue our series entitled, “Unlocking the Power of Proverbs – Walking in the Wisdom of God.”  Yesterday Solomon taught us about the lazy person and the scriptures on laziness will continue for a few more days from this chapter.  But by no means is the first time Solomon is addressing the issue.  Solomon was a fan of hard/diligent work and a clearly not a fan of laziness.  And not only did Solomon teach against laziness, he warned us that laziness leads to poverty; while diligence leads to wealth.

Back in chapter six Solomon said, “But you, lazybones, how long will you sleep?  When will you wake up?  A little extra sleep, a little more slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest — then poverty will pounce on you like a bandit; scarcity will attack you like an armed robber” (9-11).  While we all need sleep, and while there are many scriptures that support the fact that rest can actually be spiritual and much needed if we are going to accomplish all the Father wants us to accomplish in life, we must be able to discern the difference between the time we need to rest and the time we ought to be working.  In chapter 19 Solomon said, “Anyone who doesn’t want to work sleeps his life away.  And a person who refuses to work goes hungry” (19:15).  The comparison is between work and sleep.  As our text tells us, in the morning the diligent man says, “It’s time to roll out,” while the lazy man thinks, “It’s time to roll over.”  Just like a swinging door is anchored to the doorjamb, the lazy man is anchored to his bed.  He will not even exert the energy needed to get up.

The two verses I have quoted here (and there are many more) tell us that the lazy man will wind up in the poorhouse.  On the others side of the equation, in chapter 10 Solomon said, “He becomes poor who works with a lazy hand, but the hand of the diligent brings wealth” (v.4).  In the 12^th chapter he said, “Those who work their land will have abundant food, but those who chase fantasies have no sense” (v.11) and “If you are lazy, you will never get what you are after, but if you work hard, you will get a fortune” (v.27).  This is not to say that every believer will be a millionaire, but it is to say that those believers who diligently and prayerfully put their hands to work will have God’s grace and favor on what they put their hands to do, and the results will be positive and beneficial for all involved.

So what does this mean to you today?  A few things:

1.  You have to give God something to work with.  God can bless all that you put your hands to do (Psalm 1), but if you don’t do anything you are not giving Him anything to bless.  .  The lazy reap what they sow – NOTHING!

2.  God will not overlook laziness and bless you with abundance.  It’s easy for some to say that God will provide and that God is their source; and He is and should be, but this is not an excuse for laziness.  Paul said, “If a man will not work, he shall not eat” (2^nd Thes 3:10).

3.  You have a part in God’s provision for your life.  Don’t blame God for everything.  Take an honest look at your financial situation and at the overall condition of your life and know that God was not solely responsible for it.  Whether it is good or bad, up or down, rich or poor, you had something to do with it.  If you do your part (work) God will do His (Bless)!

Closing Confession:  Father, I thank You for this reminder this morning.  You open doors for me that no man can close and You close doors for me that no man can open.  Your grace and favor do more for me than I ever could, but that does not relieve me of my responsibility to work.  I shall not be anchored to my bed.  I get sufficient sleep and rest, but I don’t develop a love for sleep, to the point where it interrupts my ability to get things done.  I am a DOER of the Word of God and I am blessed in my doing.  I put my hands DO all that You bless me to DO and as I DO it, You bless the work of my hands.  I do my part and You do yours.  I am a Psalm 1 man/woman and everything I put my hands to DO prospers!  I declare this by faith.  In Jesus’ name.  Amen.

This is Today’s Word!  Apply it and Prosper!