Studies In Studies In ProverbsProverbsLesson 4Lesson 4

The Sin Of LazinessThe Sin Of Laziness

God Intended For Man God Intended For Man To Be BusyTo Be Busy

Adam & Eve were to be busy. Adam & Eve were to be busy. Genesis 2:15; 3:19,23Genesis 2:15; 3:19,23

Cain & Abel were busy. Genesis 4:2Cain & Abel were busy. Genesis 4:2

God Called Those Who God Called Those Who Were BusyWere Busy

Moses. Exodus 3:1-5,10Moses. Exodus 3:1-5,10 Peter and Andrew. Matthew 4:18-19Peter and Andrew. Matthew 4:18-19 Saul of Tarsus. Acts 9:1-5; 26:17-18; Saul of Tarsus. Acts 9:1-5; 26:17-18;

Galatians 1:13Galatians 1:13

NT Stresses Importance NT Stresses Importance Of Being IndustriousOf Being Industrious

Ephesians 4:28Ephesians 4:28 1 Thessalonians 4:11-121 Thessalonians 4:11-12 2 Thessalonians 3:10-142 Thessalonians 3:10-14

Laziness is a Sin!Laziness is a Sin!

Laziness DefinedLaziness Defined

Slow to move or act; disinclined to Slow to move or act; disinclined to work or exertion.work or exertion.

““The state or quality of being lazy; The state or quality of being lazy; indisposition to action or exertion; indisposition to action or exertion; indolence; sluggishness; heaviness indolence; sluggishness; heaviness in motion; habitual sloth.”in motion; habitual sloth.”

Laziness DefinedLaziness Defined

Laziness vs. Idleness: Laziness vs. Idleness: Idleness: mere defect or cessation of Idleness: mere defect or cessation of

action. Having no employment.action. Having no employment. Laziness: Sloth, with natural or Laziness: Sloth, with natural or

HABITUAL disinclination to action. HABITUAL disinclination to action. Apathy and inactivity in the practice of Apathy and inactivity in the practice of virtue.virtue.

Proverbs On LazinessProverbs On Laziness

Proverbs 6:6-11Proverbs 6:6-11 Proverbs 10:4,5, Proverbs 10:4,5,

2626 Proverbs 12:24,27Proverbs 12:24,27 Proverbs 13:4Proverbs 13:4 Proverbs 15:19Proverbs 15:19 Proverbs 18:9Proverbs 18:9 Proverbs 19:15, 24Proverbs 19:15, 24

Proverbs 20:4Proverbs 20:4 Proverbs 21:25Proverbs 21:25 Proverbs 22:13Proverbs 22:13 Proverbs 24:30-34Proverbs 24:30-34 Proverbs 26:13-16Proverbs 26:13-16 Proverbs has as Proverbs has as

much to say about much to say about the diligentthe diligent

Characteristics of The Characteristics of The SluggardSluggard

Makes excuses:Makes excuses: Too cold – “The sluggard will not plow Too cold – “The sluggard will not plow

by reason of the cold…” Proverbs 20:4by reason of the cold…” Proverbs 20:4 Too risky – He says, “there is a lion Too risky – He says, “there is a lion

without, I shall be slain in the streets.” without, I shall be slain in the streets.” Proverbs 22:13Proverbs 22:13

Characteristics of The Characteristics of The SluggardSluggard

Spends too much time in bed.Spends too much time in bed. ““Then I saw, and considered it well: I Then I saw, and considered it well: I

looked upon it, and received instruction. looked upon it, and received instruction. Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, little Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, little folding of the hands to sleep: So shall thy folding of the hands to sleep: So shall thy poverty come as one that travaileth; and poverty come as one that travaileth; and thy want as an armed man” Proverbs thy want as an armed man” Proverbs 24:32-3424:32-34

““As the door turneth upon his hinges, so As the door turneth upon his hinges, so doth the slothful upon his bed…” Proverbs doth the slothful upon his bed…” Proverbs 26:1426:14

Characteristics of The Characteristics of The SluggardSluggard

He is wasteful. He is wasteful. ““The slothful man roasteth not that The slothful man roasteth not that

which he took in hunting: but the which he took in hunting: but the substance of a diligent man is precious” substance of a diligent man is precious” Proverbs 12:27 Proverbs 12:27

Characteristics of The Characteristics of The SluggardSluggard

He is long on talk, but short on He is long on talk, but short on action.action. ““In all labor there is profit” but the talk In all labor there is profit” but the talk

of the lips tendeth only to penury” of the lips tendeth only to penury” Proverbs 14:23Proverbs 14:23

Penury: “State of extreme poverty or Penury: “State of extreme poverty or destitution”destitution”

Characteristics of The Characteristics of The SluggardSluggard

He is often full of advice.He is often full of advice. ““The sluggard is wiser in his own The sluggard is wiser in his own

conceit than seven men that can render conceit than seven men that can render a reason.” Proverbs 26:16a reason.” Proverbs 26:16

Some Consequences of Some Consequences of Laziness.Laziness.

Others are adversely affected.Others are adversely affected. ““As vinegar to the teeth, and as smoke As vinegar to the teeth, and as smoke

to the eyes, so is the sluggard to them to the eyes, so is the sluggard to them that send him” Proverbs 10:26that send him” Proverbs 10:26

Some Consequences of Some Consequences of Laziness.Laziness.

It causes Poverty.It causes Poverty. ““The field of the slothful” Proverbs The field of the slothful” Proverbs

24:30-3424:30-34 “ “By slothfulness the roof sinketh in; By slothfulness the roof sinketh in;

and through idleness of the hands the and through idleness of the hands the house leaketh”house leaketh” Ecclesiastes 10:18 Ecclesiastes 10:18

Some Consequences of Some Consequences of Laziness.Laziness.

It can destroy one’s independence.It can destroy one’s independence. ““The hand of the diligent shall bear The hand of the diligent shall bear

rule: but the slothful shall be under rule: but the slothful shall be under tribute” Proverbs 12:24tribute” Proverbs 12:24

The lazy person doesn’t deserve to eat! The lazy person doesn’t deserve to eat! 2 Thessalonians 3:102 Thessalonians 3:10

Two Categories Of Two Categories Of LazinessLaziness

Physical laziness.Physical laziness. Being able to work but refusing to work. Being able to work but refusing to work.

Contrast the virtuous woman of Proverbs Contrast the virtuous woman of Proverbs 31:12-2831:12-28

Spiritual laziness.Spiritual laziness. God wants us to be spiritually active. God wants us to be spiritually active.

Galatians 6:9-10; Ephesians 2:10; Hebrews Galatians 6:9-10; Ephesians 2:10; Hebrews 6:10-12; Romans 12:116:10-12; Romans 12:11

Spiritual laziness evidenced by neglecting to…Spiritual laziness evidenced by neglecting to… Study Ecclesiastes 12:12; 2 Peter 1:5Study Ecclesiastes 12:12; 2 Peter 1:5 Spend time in prayer. 1 Thessalonians 5:17Spend time in prayer. 1 Thessalonians 5:17 Spend time in worship. Hebrews 10:25Spend time in worship. Hebrews 10:25 Seek the lost. 2 Timothy 2:2Seek the lost. 2 Timothy 2:2 Redeem the time. Ephesians 5:16Redeem the time. Ephesians 5:16

ConclusionConclusion

““Oh land of rest, for thee I sigh, Oh land of rest, for thee I sigh, when will the moment come, When I when will the moment come, When I can lay my burden down, and dwell can lay my burden down, and dwell in peace at home? We’ll work ‘till in peace at home? We’ll work ‘till Jesus comes, we’ll work ‘till Jesus Jesus comes, we’ll work ‘till Jesus comes, Then we’ll be gathered comes, Then we’ll be gathered home.”home.”