As we continue in the book of Proverbs, we will continue to look at things that can eat away at us. Last week we looked at letting go of pride and inviting more humility in our lives. This week we will be looking at laziness and some better options.
I invite you to sit with these scriptures this week…
Proverbs 26:12-16 The Message
See that man who thinks he’s so smart?
You can expect far more from a fool than from him.
Loafers say, “It’s dangerous out there!
Tigers are prowling the streets!”
and then pull the covers back over their heads.
Just as a door turns on its hinges,
so a lazybones turns back over in bed.
A shiftless sluggard puts his fork in the pie,
but is too lazy to lift it to his mouth.
Dreamers fantasize their self-importance;
they think they are smarter than a whole college faculty.
I don’t think any of us like to admit we are lazy. When we hear the word “lazy,” we might immediately think of an unemployed forty-year-old living in his parents’ basement, or that teenager who would rather play video games than clean their room. Maybe you think of people on public assistance when you think they are capable of working. So often when we hear the word “lazy” we think about being physically lazy, but what about spiritual laziness?
There are many in our community that might “pride” themselves (remember last week?) in their work ethic, but what about our spiritual lives? Are we as zealous spiritually as we are physically?
We aren’t sleeping in bed all day or standing on street corners asking for money, but are there other ways we’re lazy, such as spiritually? Here is another Proverb scripture to consider this week…
Proverbs 24:30-34 NRSVUE
30 I passed by the field of one who was lazy,
by the vineyard of a stupid person,
31 and see, it was all overgrown with thorns;
the ground was covered with nettles,
and its stone wall was broken down.
32 Then I saw and considered it;
I looked and received instruction.
33 A little sleep, a little slumber,
a little folding of the hands to rest,
34 and poverty will come upon you like a robber,
and want, like an armed warrior.
Do you think this passage is talking about physical or spiritual laziness? Both? Neither?
Let’s talk about it on Sunday.
~ Pastor Dustin
