Proverbs 20:4
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The sluggard will not plow by reason of the cold; therefore shall he beg in harvest, and have nothing.
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Lazy people always have excuses for not working hard; they always expect a handout or subsidy from others; but they should be left hungry! Here is precious practical wisdom, which could benefit every home, business, church, and nation. Proverbs are dark sayings, which the Lord expects us to open up for the sweet nectar of wisdom deep within them.
Sluggards are lazy people. The Oxford English Dictionary says, "One who is naturally or habitually slow, lazy, or idle; one who is disinclined for work or exertion of any kind; a slothful or indolent person." Solomon told sluggards to learn diligence from the ant (6:6) and stop sleeping so much (6:9); he described them as irritating to bosses (10:26), always coveting what they will not work for (13:4), and conceited in their excuses (26:16).
The sluggard will not plow by reason of the cold. When soil should be turned in fall or spring, the cool weather frightens the sluggard. He prefers a warm bed and house. Lazy people always have excuses. A diligent man does not notice little things like temperature. He has a job to do; and he gets right at it; and he creates his own body heat for comfort!
Of course, a sluggard is not easily moved from his excuses. He can give ten reasons why it is not a good time to work. There will always be an excuse, for the problem is his heart, not his circumstances. Though seven men tell him the truth about hard work and reward, he arrogantly rejects their advice (26:16). But the LORD knows how to teach him!
A sluggard begs in harvest. When others reap their return, he wants some of the wealth, even though he wasted his opportunity. Sluggards are socialists and communists by conviction! But Solomon was a capitalist! Solomon wrote, "The hand of the diligent shall bear rule: but the slothful shall be under tribute" (12:24). And again, "The soul of the sluggard desireth, and hath nothing: but the soul of the diligent shall be made fat" (13:4).
A sluggard should be given nothing. The Lord's welfare system is simple - we will help you learn to work by letting you get hungry! Paul wrote the Thessalonians, "For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat" (II Thess 3:10). Hunger cravings help a man work (16:26)! Christian charity is for true needs, for acts of God; it is never to subsidize laziness (Acts 2:44-45).
Parents! You must crush laziness early in a child. You must teach the duty and joy of hard work. You must let them share the blessings of reward. You must praise a job well done. You must require all assignments to be done on time. The LORD be with you.
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