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The Sluggard
As Proverbs 24:33 puts it, the sluggard does not fully commit. Instead, he makes small surrenders. Just a little more sleep, a little more slumber, a little more folding of the hands. So, by inches and minutes, his opportunities slip away…
How many times have you longed for a lazy day? You decide to hit the snooze bar on the alarm once, then twice, and then again. Just a little more sleep, you say…
We should reflect on Proverbs 24:32-34, noting that laziness leads to nothing. We can easily let our lives waste away.
In the Middle East, the season for plowing and planting is the winter—their rainy season. Therefore, farmers had to plow in muddy fields and in the cold. A modern U.S. parallel to the man who goes hungry because he won’t plow in unpleasant conditions is a young man who doesn’t work hard to earn an education. As a result, he has limited opportunities.
According to Proverbs 15:19, the sluggard will face thorny roads—a life full of pain and obstacles, whereas the way of the righteous is made plain.
How can you avoid the life of a sluggard? Surround yourself with wise counsel. According to Proverbs 26:16, “A sluggard is wiser in his own eyes than seven people who answer discreetly.” When you don’t listen to the wisdom of others or seek other perspectives, it can be even more difficult to pull yourself out of the rut of a sluggard.
What about “get-rich-quick” schemes? Solomon addressed them in Proverbs 28:19, when he said, “Those who work their land will have abundant food, but those who chase fantasies will have their fill of poverty.”
The sluggard seeks such schemes, but as Solomon notes in Proverbs 6:6-8, “Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider its ways and be wise! It has no commander, no overseer or ruler, yet it stores its provisions in summer and gathers its food at harvest.”
That’s why Dr. Henry Cloud includes “Embrace your inner insect” as one of the nine things a leader must do.
Contrasting Lifestyles
Solomon draws many contrasts between the lazy man and the diligent man as follows:
| Proverb | The Lazy Man | The Diligent Worker |
| 10:4 | Poverty | Wealth |
| 10:5 | Disgraceful Son | Prudent Son |
| 20:13 | Sleeps | Stays Awake |
| 28:19 | Chases Fantasies | Works the Land |
In Proverbs 22:29, Solomon points out that the skilled worker will serve kings, not those of lower rank. Again, he highlights how hard work provides better opportunities.
Work-Life Balance
Much is said and written today about work-life balance…and finding the right rhythm of work, play, and rest. In fact, I’ve summarized several books on the topic here, including:
- Richard Swenson’s Got Margin?
- Henry Cloud’s One-Life Solution
- Jason Fried’s It Doesn’t Have to Be Crazy at Work
God commanded Sabbath rest (remember my summary of Keeping the Sabbath Wholly?). In Exodus 20:8-11, God modeled hard work. For six days, He created. On the seventh day, He rested. This is the proper rhythm and example of appropriate “work-life balance.”
Do you see yourself more as someone who tends to:
- Work too hard;
- Avoid working hard; or
- Be in balance about work and rest?
Make sure you have Godly attitudes toward work, and live a healthy balance between work and rest.