Thoughts on the topic of sluggards from the book of wisdom

Before we venture into this topic, let’s be clears on the meaning of the term. There may be some readers who are not familiar with the term “sluggard”. Personally, I love the word. Not the meaning, and especially not the application or reality of it in my own life, but the sound, the noise it makes as it rolls from the throat.

I got a thing for sounds!

To be a sluggard is to be a deadbeat, a couch potato, a loafer, a slouch, an idler, a good for nothing lazy bag of bones. To be a sluggard is to be a professional, highly motivated procrastinator, a shirker of responsibility and an avoider of tasks!

For our time in the proverbs, we will find there is much to be challenged by. A number of truths occur over and over in the passages we will consider. Truths that describe the sluggard as having nothing to show for his life, that he will go hungry, that he is a disappointment to others. He is a “victim” and that he is a great story teller.

Our last proverb study we found the sluggard is wiser than they all, even though only in his own mind. And to what benefit does this self delusion bring to the sluggard?

In this post, let’s consider the end result of the sluggard. What should the sluggard expect for the many mornings he sleeps in, the excuses he makes and the pride he exhibits?

Proverbs 13:4 The soul of the sluggard craves and gets nothing, while the soul of the diligent is richly supplied.

The sluggard is one who is craving and yet is not satisfied, not because he prefers different food. It isn’t that he has that luxury, but that he has nothing to choose from. He gets nothing.

Proverbs 12:27 Whoever is slothful will not roast his game, but the diligent man will get precious wealth.

It appears Solomon grants that the sluggard actually extended some effort in hunting down some game, but then lets it rot for the sake of rest. He will not roast his game!

Proverbs 19:15 Slothfulness casts into a deep sleep, and an idle person will suffer hunger.

Solomon continues in his description of the sluggard in that he will suffer hunger. It appears there is plenty of opportunity for the sluggard to find sustenance, for Solomon speaks of his gaining some game, yet he suffers hunger for the sake of not completing a task.

Proverbs 20:4 The sluggard does not plow in the autumn; he will seek at harvest and have nothing.

The sluggard is not proactive. The harvest is coming, it comes every year, and yet with this abundant evidence of opportunity, the sluggard puts off the plowing of the field. Note that the plowing is described as being in the autumn, after the years harvest, after bringing in the fruit of the field.

How often have I went to the 99% completion of a task, only to drop the final step! Plowing in the autumn allows the field to be prepared for the next sowing.

Proverbs 18:9 Whoever is slack in his work is a brother to him who destroys.

Earlier the proverbs mentioned that the sluggard let his game rot, that he would not roast it. Although destruction is often associated with vile intent, it also is linked with slackness, with those who do not finish a task.

The future of the sluggard is a fearful looking to of destitution, poverty and hunger in their later years. By then, the habit of self justifying of the avoidance of tasks, and the self convincing that the sluggards ways are best, usually provide little chance of change in the sluggards thinking and actions.

Or do they?

I have known sluggards who have realized the foolishness of their ways and sought change in their lives. Thankfully, the Lord is able to rescue even the sluggard from foolish thinking and behavior, even if it might be through poverty, hunger and desire.

Proverbs 6:6 Go to the ant, O sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise.

A final word to those who may be characterized by the addiction of “workaholicism” (Is that a word?)

Though “sluggardism” (again Carl – you gotta quit making up words!) may not characterize your life, it is important to find balance in our lives, that the tasks of life do not delegate relationships to a back burner. We are to be about the Lord’s business, and that is always in relation to people and not tasks. Let not the “thing” or “task” take away from relating to the person He loves, that person who may be right beside you, even now.

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Thanks again for coming to visit. I hope you found something of interest in this post and would appreciate a comment, to begin a discussion.