Derek Kidner, when asked if the book of Proverbs is too mundane and man-centered to be inspired, says, “What’s right and what pays may travel long distances together!” Indeed, there are a number of proverbs on industriousness that help a person not only support his family, but be a good steward of God’s blessings.
In general, it can be observed that “the hand of the diligent makes rich” (Prov. 10:4) whereas “an idle man will suffer hunger” (Prov. 19:15). Even in the dispensation of Christ, in which followers of Jesus seek first the kingdom and sacrifice to bless others, work is a virtue (Eph. 4:28, 2 Thess. 3:7-13, 1 Tim. 5:8).
The sluggard puts off what needs doing. Now, a good night’s sleep and a regular day of rest are blessings which God designed our bodies to enjoy (Mark 2:27). But some drowse away the days. “Do not love sleep, or you will become poor; open your eyes, and you will be satisfied with food” (Prov. 20:13). “As the door turns on its hinges, so does the sluggard on his bed” (Prov. 26:14). Don’t just flip-flop in bed, back to front, back to front, as the morning wears on. There are tasks to accomplish!
There are many things in life—a garden, a car, a house, a marriage—that can provide great blessing, but only with constant maintenance. “I passed by the field of the sluggard … and behold, it was completely overgrown with thistles … and its stone wall was broken down. When I saw, I reflected upon it; I looked, and received instruction. ‘A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest, then your poverty will come as a robber and your want like an armed man’ ” (Prov. 24:30-34). Patching one stone a year ago could’ve prevented having to rebuild the whole wall today. As they say, “a stitch in time saves nine [stitches later].” It’s a lot easier to keep up with things like dishes, laundry, and homework, than to get behind and have to play catchup.
The sluggard fails to bring his desires to reality. Labor is necessary, and too much leisure is a curse. “He who tills his land will have plenty of bread, but he who pursues worthless things lacks sense” (Prov. 12:11). Spending hour after hour doomscrolling or binge watching, or even day after day on video games, transforms perfectly harmless diversions into life-wasting obsessions. Such a person may need a dose of adult reality—perhaps to stop relying on mom and dad for food and shelter. “A worker’s appetite works for him, for his hunger urges him on” (Prov. 16:26). You want a car? Get a job and save some money! “The soul of the sluggard craves and gets nothing, but the soul of the diligent is made fat” (Prov. 13:4; see also 12:27, 19:24, 26:15).
The sluggard also misses out on the joyful blessing of being generous. “The desire of the sluggard puts him to death, for his hands refuse to work. All day long he is craving, while the righteous gives and does not hold back” (Prov. 21:25-26).
The sluggard makes every excuse. “The sluggard says, ‘There is a lion in the road! A lion is in the open square!’” (Prov. 26:13) even though that is highly unlikely. We cannot allow endless fears and what-ifs, little aches and pains, to hold us back from living a productive life. Frustratingly, when one points this out to the sluggard, he has a million responses. “The sluggard is wiser in his own eyes than seven men who can give a discreet answer” (Prov. 26:16). “In all labor there is profit, but mere talk leads only to poverty” (Prov. 14:23).
The sluggard becomes a burden. “Go to the ant, O sluggard, observe her ways and be wise, which, having no chief, officer or ruler, prepares her food in the summer and gathers her provision in the harvest” (Prov. 6:6). Providing for one’s family often requires a little foresight and responsible planning. Keep up with your bank balance so that monthly bills do not drain you dry in a year. “The sluggard does not plow after the autumn, so he begs during the harvest and has nothing” (Prov. 20:4).
—John Guzzetta