As I read the book of Proverbs, I find it odd the contrast of words that are put together. Often times I wonder if the writer did not mean a different set of words or if he made a mistake. But, as we know, nothing is a mistake in the word of God and if something is repeated then it is important. One such repeated themes that are often in contrast is the correlation between the lazy person or the sluggard and poverty. Today, I would like to focus on the relationship that exists between the lazy person and poverty.
The lazy or sluggard is defined in the dictionary as someone who is “not easily aroused to action or work” (Merriam-Webster). Similarly, in the bible, this definition is not any different. We see that the lazy person is one that sees danger but does nothing about it (Proverbs 22:13); it is someone whose craving will be the death of him because his hands refuse to work (Proverbs 21:25); the lazy person is one who does not plow in season, so at harvest time he looks but finds nothing (Proverbs 20:4); again “the sluggard buries his hand in the dish; he will not even bring it back to his mouth!” (Proverbs 19:24) and finally “laziness brings on deep sleep, and the shiftless man goes hungry” (Proverbs 19:15). I think the picture is pristine, the sluggard or the lazy person is not the model to be followed, he or she does not walk in a manner worthy of the Lord. What I find particularly interesting is the correlation that laziness has with poverty. First, we see that laziness brings on “deep sleep” and sleep brings poverty and hunger (Proverbs 6:10). Second, we see that laziness makes you do things out of season which means you work against the right order of things which only leads to frustration. As one of the verses cited above said, the sluggard will plow out of season so at harvest time he does not find anything. It is pure insanity to not be plowing in the right season or not be plowing at all and yet to expect something during harvest time. Somewhere else in Proverbs we are told to look at the ant who has no ruler or commander yet gathers enough food during harvest and stores its provisions in the summer seasons (Proverbs 6:6-8). Even the ant is wiser than the lazy person! I find it is interesting that the lazy person will not respect the times and seasons, it indicates to me that it is a person who does not like to follow instructions so therefore is disobedient. This is someone who thinks they can do as they please and they think they know better than God who has made times and seasons for a reason. Ecclesiastes tell us clearly that there is a time for everything and a season for everything under heaven (Ecclesiastes 3:1). In order words, manage the seasons you find yourself in well because they come and go and each have a purpose.
Although poverty is not an enviable condition in the bible, nevertheless the poor is not often painted in the bad light. Indeed, the Lord shows mercy to the poor, He will punish those who mock or exploit him (Proverbs 22:22) or even bring to justice those who treat the poor unjustly (Proverbs 22:6). During his ministry on earth, Jesus often looked with compassion on the poor and needy. This tells me that the poor is not the problem, rather they are a victim of the state they are in (poverty) and they are not to remain in such a state. As observed by the wise writer of Proverbs, because of his laziness, the vineyard of the sluggard or the man who lacks judgement is full of thorns and weeds and the reason it is in such a state is because the sluggard welcomed sleep little by little until poverty became his friend (Proverbs 24:30-34). In other words, you become poor as you slowly but surely let idleness destroy you; Poverty is not an automatic condition. In this case it starts in a way that is very innocent, and before you know it you have become its slave. This reminds me of how sin works in us when we do not kill it, it creeps in slowly but surely. It starts with a little compromise here and there, a white lie, or an easily justifiable pleasure to indulge in and before you know it, you are back at square one, being under its rule. Now, I am not here to argue whether or not poor people are lazy, that is not the goal but one thing is clear, if you are consistently lazy, you will not escape poverty. The bible warns us enough in the book of Proverbs on this issue and I believe it is because we fail to see its effect or the correlation between the two. Instead, we start blaming God for what is happening to us and we fail to look at our own actions. I was baffled at the fact that Proverbs equated the “sluggard” with the “man who lacks judgement” (Proverbs 24:30). Truly, what does “not working” or “being idle” have to do with lacking judgement? I believe the correlation stems from the fact that the sluggard is indeed someone who lacks judgement because if he had any, he would be working and would not let things be decided on his behalf or would not let things just “happen” to him. Someone who has judgement does not just “go with the flow”, he or she makes an informed decision when placed in any situation. I believe that is what it means to be a man who lacks judgement. In the French version Bible du Semeur, the phrase “man who lacks judgement” is rendered as “a man without courage”. So it seems, not only is a sluggard without judgement he is also without courage which would warrant his action of doing nothing.
What then are we to do in light of the above? Since the purpose of Proverbs is to make one wise and disciplined, ensuring we act with prudence, in order to live this life well, we should seek to honour God with the knowledge He gives us. This means, we ought to examine our lives and see where we are being at peace with being lazy because this is in direct opposition to who God is and what He expects from us. We ought to repent of our laziness and ask the help of the Holy Spirit as we make plans to eradicate it or fight it in our lives just as we would make plans to fight any other sin. Like the psalmist, we should be able to hate the things that the Lord hates and love what He loves. Laziness is definitely not a character trait that the Lord is pleased with so we must strive to remove it from our lives. I am grateful that we have the help of the Holy Spirit and we have great biblical examples in the likes of Jesus, Paul, James, Peter, etc. who from their lives show us how not to be lazy and enjoy work. I pray the Lord gives us the grace to embrace work and avoid laziness at all cost. May He also teach us how to work wisely and not in a way as to make work our God. Amen.
A Word Aptly Spoken 