Proverbs 26-5.30.22
Scripture
Proverbs 26:13 NLT
“The lazy person claims, “There’s a lion on the road! Yes, I’m sure there’s a lion out there!”
Observation
In these proverbs of King Solomon, Solomon speaks of the foolish and the lazy. He gives great examples of what foolishness and laziness looks like and the destruction it breeds in a person’s life. In this particular verse I chose today, Solomon speaks of a person’s laziness and how they will use any excuse in the book to get out of work. (Well, I was going to work out in the fields today, but I think I saw a lion out there. Yeah, there’s definitely a lion out there. I better stay inside today.) Really?! 🙄
Understanding
Quit being lazy! Your Father in Heaven is watching.
If there is one pet peeve that I have, it’s a person’s laziness. I mean I can’t stand it! I’m a civil service employee who belongs to a union and there is a lot of laziness going on around me…and the kicker is that some of them claim to be Christians! You know, I may sit around my desk and relax from time to time, but that’s only because I worked hard to get there. I have a motto that I tell the people I work with. “I work hard so I can be lazy.” I know it sounds weird, but I like to knock out all my work as fast as I can, so I can enjoy the later part of my day, and I am prepared if anything unexpected comes. But let’s face it, there are some people out there who are just flat out lazy. They depend on other people all the time to pick up their slack and all they do is complain about everything. Well, here is what the Bible says about laziness:
“Lazy hands make for poverty, but diligent hands bring wealth.”-Proverbs 10:4
“Work brings profit, but mere talk leads to poverty!”-Proverbs 14:23
The worst is when a person claims to be a Christian, but has a lousy work ethic. Christians are already under the microscope enough as it is. You have people watching every little thing we say and watching every little thing we do. They are waiting to pounce on us about anything so they can call us a hypocrite, and find any reason to lessen our faith. So why give them an opportunity?
“Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people.”-Colossians 3:23
Remember, God sees what we are doing. When we leave our house as Christians, we are carrying His name. So what kind of impressions are we giving people? Hopefully it’s being trustworthy, dedicated, and hardworking. Hopefully our work ethic can point others towards Christ who gives us strength.
Life Application
Father God I pray that You may bless me with the strength not only physically, but spiritually to do a great job for You today. May I be a help and not a burden to my employer and co-workers. May my attitude and work ethic rub off on those around me so I can point them towards the true source of it all…and that is You, Jesus. In Your holy and precious name I pray, Amen.
-Moses Gaddi