The Effects of Laziness
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.
Last week we looked at the advice to “go to the ant” and to learn diligence, rather than laziness. Here Solomon vividly portrays the results of laziness. Making excuses for our desire for more rest and relaxation will bring poverty on ourselves. It’s as if we are robbing ourselves of the potential to succeed. When poverty comes like an armed man, we won’t be prepared to resist it.
The laziness Solomon described focused on rest and sleep. But today, with entertainment options that are available 24/7, laziness is just as likely to exhibit itself through lack of sleep (but lack of work as well).
To learn more about the nuggets of wisdom found in the Bible, read our article on Proverbs.
