Couch Potato
Today’s Verse:
Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise: ~Proverbs 6:6
Solomon had many people in his employment. He had contractors, subcontractors, servants, soldiers, couriers, ambassadors, and many hundreds of other people who worked for him. Solomon understood the importance of work. He knew that a hard-working economy resulted in a productive and successful economy. Hard work always yields great results. However, he looked out from his window and, every day, saw men who did not work. They stood on the street and did nothing but idle their time away. Worse, he saw his son consorting with friends who were lazy and spiteful of hard work. Solomon provides words of wisdom for his son and those whom he called sluggards on the danger of being a sluggard.
There is the résumé of the sluggard.
A sluggard is, simply, a lazy person. He dreams about doing things but does nothing. He is delusional and imagines hardships that are non-existent. He makes excuses for not working. He would rather spend his time sleeping than working. The typical sluggard of our day would rather sit on the couch with a remote in his hand and watch television instead of be productive. A sluggard lets the field become overgrown with weeds. His famous statement is, “Let someone else do the job.”
There is the ruin of the sluggard.
Lazy people do the most damage to themselves. Their lack of attention results in things in their house falling apart and being in continuous, non-working condition. They do not have the prudence and desire to provide for their future and wind up with economic scarcity. They lack in savings and investments. They spend and do not save. Winter comes upon them, and they do not have enough food to last them until spring. They are described as people who fold their hands together and let time and opportunity pass them by. The eventual downfall of being lazy is described as, “So shall thy poverty come as one that travelleth, and thy want as an armed man.”
There is the recommendation for the sluggard.
The sluggard is strongly recommended to consider the little insect, the ant. He is told to go to the ant and consider her ways. He is to consider the diligence of the ant. The ant provides her meat in the summer and gathers her food in the harvest. The ant works very hard and realizes that there is always a lot of work to do. There is the discipline of the ant. It has no guide, overseer, or ruler. It does not have to be managed. It has great discipline in getting things done. It is responsible and forward-looking. As part of a large colony, all ants know that they must be on the constant go of providing food for the colony. There is the discernment of the ant. Ants know that they must provide their meat in the summer. If they do not, winter will come and they will have a major food shortage. Solomon is telling the lazy person to go study the ant. This little creature is a solid and great example of diligence and hard work.
At the beginning of this New Year, determine to work hard. Plan ahead. Live by a schedule. Eliminate idle time. Take advantage of the opportunities that God places before you. Go to the ant!
Have an industrious God Morning!
Bible Reading Schedule: Genesis 30-31