The Folly Of Slothfulness

Back to: The Banquet (Wisdom Devotional)

The Character of A Sloth

• Sloths move only when necessary- even then their movements are slow, giving an impression of being lazy.
• Solomon uses the word sloth to describe a slow, sluggish and lazy person.
• Sloths move only when necessary- even then their movements are slow, giving an impression of being lazy.

The Sluggard Doesn’t Finish Things

• Proverbs 12:27 “He is too lazy to cook the game he has caught and allows the meat to spoil”
• He is too lazy to eat/ finish the meal he has prepared.
• Abandoned dreams, goals, relationships, classes etc.

Procrastination Cycle

The Sluggard Doesn’t Start Things

• Proverbs 6:9 “How long will you lie down, O sluggard? When will you arise from your sleep?
• Prefers rest to work.
• He procrastinates until its too late.
• Wishing for things but never putting in the work to get them done.
• Doing tasks quickly and without thought ( For the sake of doing them) Because you wasted time doing other things.

Specific reasons why people often make excuses:

1. Fear of failure- lack of knowledge 
2. Comfort Zone– Staying where its safe
3. Educate oneself– Learn to understand more
4. Different seasons of life– Failure is unavoidable, learn to handle it
5. Uncertainty– makes people uncomfortable

What Fate Awaits The Sluggard?

Solomon shares the destiny of the sluggard:

• Will face severe poverty- Proverbs 6:11, 24, 34
• Suffer Hunger- Proverbs 19:15
• He will be ruled by his constant but unsatisfied desires- Proverbs 21:26
• His path of life will be difficult- Proverbs 21:25
• His ultimate fate is ruin and death- Proverbs 21:25

A premature retirement from the responsibilities of work is like a desert mirage. It looks so refreshing in the distance, but the pleasures promised disappear in face of life’s realities.

Final Points On Hard Work

• Set priorities: Proverbs 24:7 First build a house, plant a vineyard and then take a wife.
• What is important- set tasks based on urgency? ( You can do anything, not everything is permissible. Paul) Have a list, to tick off.
• Reward your diligent efforts: Proverbs 16: 26 ‘ A worker’s appetite works for him, for his hunger urges him on’
• If hunger will motivate someone to work what more the incentive of a vacation, pamper session etc, even a small reward can be motivating.

We need to be able to pass the same work ethic to out children and loved ones.