Laziness is a plague that ruins lives, and societies. The book of Proverbs uses the word “sluggard” for the man who will not work or give any effort. The antithesis of the diligent man is the sluggard. The Hebrew word for “sluggard” is defined as a “lazy person, a person who is disinclined to work or exert himself.” In other words, they are sluggish, slothful, and undisciplined. Another translation says they are “lazy bones.” It gives the idea of someone who does not have the willpower to work. The sluggard buries his hand in the dish to eat something and will not even bring it back to his mouth (Pro. 19:24). The sluggard is too lazy to lift food to his mouth! What a tragedy! When you shirk from your responsibilities and will not lift a hand to help yourself then you are considered a sluggard.
Culture is consistently peddling the erroneous idea that wealth can be achieved without working. Gambling and the lottery have kept more enslaved to poverty than they have made millionaires. But Scripture is clear that if you are going to be blessed, and successful, then you are going to have to work. Laziness will not be blessed. Being a sluggard will not be rewarded.
The sluggard loves sleep: “A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest, and poverty will come upon you like a robber, and want like an armed man” (Proverbs 6:10–11). Proverbs 20:13 says, “Love not sleep, lest you come to poverty; open your eyes, and you will have plenty of bread.” Sleep will rob you of time, opportunities, and wealth. Sleep is a like an armed man ready to rob you of opportunities, dreams and ambitions.
The sluggard makes excuses: “The sluggard says, ‘There is a lion outside! I shall be killed in the streets” (Pro. 22:13)! The sluggard is always making excuses why he can’t go to work. He will imagine all of the dangers that could happen if he were to leave the confines of his bed and go to work.
The sluggard procrastinates: “The sluggard does not plow in the autumn; he will seek at harvest and have nothing” (Pro. 20:4). Instead of plowing at the appointed time, the sluggard procrastinated and ended up having nothing at harvest. If you are always saying “I’ll do it later,” or “I’ll get to it tomorrow,” chances are that you will never get the task completed.
Beloved, you should do everything in your power to avoid becoming a sluggard. There is nothing rewarding or satisfying about being lazy. You do not honor, nor bring glory to God with laziness. You were created with a purpose. Don’t buy into the lie that laziness is acceptable, or that you’re entitled to certain benefits. The wise man is a man who avoids the path of the sluggard.