Author: Steve Amato
Keywords: bible study,lazy, procrastinate,sluggard

## Proverbs on Laziness

Laziness <=> Folly and Shame

10:5 He who gathers in summer is a wise son,
But he who sleeps during the harvest is a son who causes shame.
24:30,31 I went by the field of the sluggard, By the vineyard of the man void of understanding; Behold, it was all grown over with thorns. Its surface was covered with nettles, And its stone wall was broken down.
6:6 Go to the ant, you sluggard. Consider her ways, and be wise;

With wisdom comes diligence. For the wise recognize the folly of procrastination and they plan ahead.. But the lazy procrastinate even when it is essential they work and then end up bringing shame upon themselves.

Laziness <=> Wise in one's own eyes

26:16 The sluggard is wiser in his own eyes Than seven men who answer with discretion.

The lazy consider themselves wise for taking the easy way. They scoff at others who work hard. The lazy are lazy in their minds and don't think consider things carefully. They presume everything should be easy and go smoothly. Proverbs 26:12 Do you see a man wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him.

Laziness <=> Unfulfilled Needs and Desires

13:4 The soul of the sluggard desires, and has nothing,
But the desire of the diligent shall be fully satisfied.
26:15 The sluggard buries his hand in the dish.
He is too lazy to bring it back to his mouth.
19:15 Slothfulness casts into a deep sleep. The idle soul shall suffer hunger.
24:33,34 A little sleep, a little slumber, A little folding of the hands to sleep;
So shall your poverty come as a robber, And your want as an armed man.
21:25 The desire of the sluggard kills him, For his hands refuse to labor.
10:4 He becomes poor who works with a lazy hand,
But the hand of the diligent brings wealth.
15:19 The way of the sluggard is like a thorn patch,
But the path of the upright is a highway.
12:24 The hands of the diligent ones shall rule,
But laziness ends in slave labor.

Our desires should motivate us to act diligently. But the lazy, while having desires, expect everything to be handed to them. Paul writes, "when we were with you, we commanded you this: 'If anyone will not work, neither let him eat.' For we hear of some who walk among you in rebellion, who don’t work at all, but are busybodies. Now those who are that way, we command and exhort in the Lord Jesus Christ, that with quietness they work, and eat their own bread." 2Thess 3:10-12 God generally rewards the diligent but withholds from the lazy. Also in terms of secular career it is a common observation that those who work diligently early on will tend to have more freedom in career choice, while those who take it easy early on will end up stuck in a job to which they feel enslaved.

Laziness <=> Doesn't prize his possessions

2:27 The slothful man doesn’t roast his game, But the possessions of diligent men are prized.

The lazy take for granted what they have. Or to coin the expression, they haven't learned the value of a dollar.

Laziness <=> Cowardice and Excuses

20:4 The sluggard will not plow by reason of the winter;
Therefore he shall beg in harvest, and have nothing.
22:13 The sluggard says, "There is a lion outside! I will be killed in the streets!"

The lazy can always find excuses to procrastinate. Don't look for the ideal and most convenient time to begin the work, for it may never come. Lazy people are also generally cowards. They procrastinate because of their fears. But cowardice itself should be feared for are they not first on the list to be thrown into the lake of fire? "But for the cowardly, unbelieving, sinners, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their part is in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death." Revelation 21:8

## Evaluation

Am I sleeping during harvest? (What needs to be done right now which I am procrastinating on?)
Am I gathering in the summer? (What needs to be done some time in the future and am I preparing to get that work done now beforehand?)
Are there aspects of my life which are a mess because I've been to lazy to work on them?
Am I taking initiative to accomplish my responsibilities in life or am I waiting for someone to tell me what to do?
Do I carefully consider all sides of an argument, which can be alot of work, or do I take the easy way out and just presume I'm always right?
Are my unfulfilled desires a result of my laziness?
Do I take things and people too much for granted? And how can I learn to appreciate them more?
What fears are preventing me from carrying out my responsibilities and meeting people's needs?

The Berean Christian Bible Study Resources