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

Contrasting Examples and Results Laziness Diligence Craves Get’s Nothing Richly Supplied POLAR OPPOSITES

Consider A Sluggard’s Farm Proverbs 24:30-34 ESV Proverbs 24:30-34 I passed by the field of a sluggard, by the vineyard of a man lacking sense, and behold, it was all overgrown with thorns; the ground was covered with nettles, and its stone wall was broken down. Then I saw and considered it; I looked and received instruction. 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. Question: Where does this illustration apply in our 21 st Century Lives?

Consider the ANT Proverbs 6:6-11 ESV Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider its ways and be wise! It has no commander, no overseer or ruler, yet it stores its provisions in summer and gathers its food at harvest. How long will you lie there, you sluggard? When will you get up from your sleep? A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest— and poverty will come on you like a thief and scarcity like an armed man

More on Sleeping! Proverbs 6:9 ESV How long will you lie there, O sluggard? When will you arise from your sleep? Proverbs 10:5 ESV He who gathers in summer is a prudent son, but he who sleeps in harvest is a son who brings shame. Proverbs 19:15 ESV Slothfulness casts into a deep sleep, and an idle person will suffer hunger. Proverbs 20:13 ESV Love not sleep, lest you come to poverty; open your eyes, and you will have plenty of bread.

Am I A Sluggard? What role and what impacts is Sleep having in my life? Are my responsibilities being fulfilled? Am I an ‘early to bed and early to rise person?

Fictitious Lion Dodging! (aka Excuses) The sluggard says, “There is a lion outside! I shall be killed in the streets!” ( Proverbs 22: 13) The sluggard says, “There is a lion in the road! There is a lion in the streets!” As a door turns on its hinges, so does a sluggard on his bed. The sluggard is wiser in his own eyes than seven men who can answer sensibly Proverbs 26: 13,14, 16

Real Results In all toil there is profit, but mere talk tends only to poverty. Proverbs 14:23 ESV The hand of the diligent will rule, while the slothful will be put to forced labor. Proverbs 12:24 ESV

Am I A Sluggard? What role and what impacts is Sleep having in my life? Are my responsibilities being fulfilled? Am I an ‘early to bed and early to ride person? What impacts are excuses versus results having in your life? Does Authority agree with you? Do people you respect agree with you? (wiser in your own eyes!)

A Sluggard’s Reputation! One of the Cretans, a prophet of their own, said, “Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons.” This testimony is true. Therefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith Titus 1: Like vinegar to the teeth and smoke to the eyes, so is the sluggard to those who send him. Proverbs 10:26

A New Testament Helper! And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever (John 14:16) But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; (Gal 5:22) But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh. For the flesh sets its desire against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are in opposition to one another, so that you may not do the things that you please. (Gal 5:16-17) I can do all things through him who strengthens me. (Phil 4:13)

Application Impacts of Laziness Spiritual Life I need my sleep, I do not have time for devotions and prayer Marital Life Both Communicative and Physical Intimacy We are too busy raising kids! Family Life Passing on your Walk with God to the Children (Judges!) The Lost Sharing the Gospel

Thoughts and Questions?