ARE YOU A SLUGGARD?

by Brian Gibson

 

Most of us don’t like to be called names, and one name we certainly don’t want to be called is a “sluggard.” A sluggard, of course, is a lazy person, someone who works very hard to avoid work. Let’s look at some characteristics of a sluggard, to see whether or not we fit the description.

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A sluggard sleeps too much, and sleeps when he should be working.

 

How long will you slumber, O sluggard? When will you rise from your sleep? A little sleep, a little slumber, A little folding of the hands to sleep; so shall your poverty come on you like a prowler, And your need like an armed man (Prov. 6:9-11).

 

Do not love sleep, lest you come to poverty; Open your eyes, and you will be satisfied with bread (Prov. 20:13).

 

Certainly, we all need sufficient rest, but when we’re showing up late for work or for some important appointment because we’re “sleeping in,” we’ve got a problem.

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A sluggard talks when he should be working.

 

In all labor there is profit, but idle chatter leads only to poverty (Prov. 14:23).

 

Some people can talk while they’re working, but some people talk instead of working. There comes a time when we need to lay the “idle chatter” aside, and get to work.

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A sluggard makes excuses to get out of work, often bordering on the ridiculous.

 

The lazy man says, "There is a lion outside! I shall be slain in the streets!" (Prov. 22:13).

 

The lazy man says, "There is a lion in the road! A fierce lion is in the streets!" (Prov. 26:13).

 

We’re not always going to feel just right, and conditions are not always going to be just right, but we better learn to work in spite of all that.

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The sluggard is wise in his own eyes.

 

The lazy man is wiser in his own eyes than seven men who can answer sensibly (Prov. 26:16).

 

While the sluggard may not willing to do a job himself, he is always ready to tell someone else how to do it.

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The sluggard follows after frivolity, or to put it another way, he likes to goof off.

 

He who tills his land will be satisfied with bread, But he who follows frivolity is devoid of understanding (Prov. 12:11).

 

He who tills his land will have plenty of bread, But he who follows frivolity will have poverty enough! (Prov. 28:19).

 

It’s amazing the amount of energy one can have for frivolity, but when it comes to work, he is just too exhausted.