Articles
The Bitter Fruit of Laziness
The Bitter Fruit of Laziness
The book of Proverbs sounds forth a number of warnings against laziness. Consider the results of this way of life:
- Laziness leads to waste."The lazy man does not roast what he took in hunting, but diligence is man's precious possession"(Prov. 12:27).
The lazy man will not "finish the job"when he returns from hunting and the food will become spoiled and wasted.
Many of our most valuable physical possessions require diligent upkeep, but laziness will cause this important work to be neglected. "Because of laziness the building decays, and through idleness of hands the house leaks"(Eccl. 10:18).
- Laziness leads to hunger."Laziness casts one into a deep sleep, and an idle person will suffer hunger"(Prov. 19:15).
If an able-bodied man will not work, he should not have anything to eat (2 Thess. 3:10).
If it was not for the kindness of others, he would not have anything to eat.
- Laziness leads to poverty."Do not love sleep, lest you come to poverty; open your eyes, and you will be satisfied with bread"(Prov. 20:13).
Man is to make a living for himself and his dependents by diligent work. Hitting the "snooze"button can be a strong temptation, but if one makes it a way of life, he will be poor.
- Laziness leads to frustration."The soul of a lazy man desires, and has nothing; but the soul of the diligent shall be made rich"(Prov. 13:4).
Most people want to have things. The lazy man has desires, but experiences frustration because he does not have anything.
He would have what others enjoy, but he chose to be lazy rather than to work and earn the money to fulfill his desires.
- Laziness leads to a ruined reputation.It isn't hard to recognize the lazy person. "I went by the field of the lazy man, and by the vineyard of the man devoid of understanding; and there it was, all overgrown with thorns; its surface was covered with nettles; its stone wall was broken down"(Prov. 24:30-31).
Everyone knew who owned this field. It was a monument to his laziness.
So we need to remember as the children of God, that there is work in the Lord’s kingdom to do, and there is no room for the lazy --- Ephesians 2:10
