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The Slacker - Proverbs 6:6-11, 26:12-26 | Yaro Chebunin

 • Series: The Book of Proverbs

The Slacker Proverbs 6:6-11 Go to the ant, you slacker! Observe its ways and become wise. Without leader, administrator, or ruler, it prepares its provisions in summer; it gathers its food during harvest. How long will you stay in bed, you slacker? When will you get up from your sleep? A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the arms to rest, and your poverty will come like a robber, your need, like a bandit. Proverbs 26:12-16 Do you see a person who is wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him. The slacker says, “There’s a lion in the road—a lion in the public square!” A door turns on its hinges, and a slacker, on his bed. The slacker buries his hand in the bowl; he is too weary to bring it to his mouth! In his own eyes, a slacker is wiser than seven who can answer sensibly. 1. The slacker avoids work or effort of any kind, at all costs! - He will not begin things - He will not finish things - He will not face things Proverbs 12:27 A lazy hunter doesn’t roast his game, but to a diligent person, his wealth is precious. Proverbs 15:19 A slacker’s way is like a thorny hedge, but the path of the upright is a highway. 2. The slacker’s life results only in emptiness, ruin, and death. Proverbs 13:4 The slacker craves, yet has nothing, but the diligent is fully satisfied. Proverbs 20:4 The slacker does not plow during planting season; at harvest time he looks, and there is nothing. Proverbs 18:9 The one who is lazy in his work is brother to a vandal. Proverbs 10:26 Like vinegar to the teeth and smoke to the eyes, so the slacker is to the one who sends him on an errand.   Proverbs 21:25 A slacker’s craving will kill him because his hands refuse to work. Proverbs 14:23 There is profit in all hard work, but endless talk leads only to poverty. Proverbs 26:13-16 The slacker says, “There’s a lion in the road—a lion in the public square!” A door turns on its hinges, and a slacker, on his bed. The slacker buries his hand in the bowl; he is too weary to bring it to his mouth! In his own eyes, a slacker is wiser than seven who can answer sensibly. Proverbs 24:30-34 I went by the field of a slacker and by the vineyard of one lacking sense. Thistles had come up everywhere, weeds covered the ground, and the stone wall was ruined. I saw, and took it to heart; I looked, and received instruction: a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the arms to rest, and your poverty will come like a robber, and your need, like a bandit. “You will say that these are very small sins; and doubtless, like all young tempters, you are anxious to be able to report spectacular wickedness. But do remember, the only thing that matters is the extent to which you separate the man from the Enemy. It does not matter how small the sins are provided that their cumulative effect is to edge the man away from the Light and out into the Nothing. Murder is no better than cards if cards can do the trick. Indeed the safest road to Hell is the gradual one—the gentle slope, soft underfoot, without sudden turnings, without milestones, without signposts.” ~ C.S. Lewis, The Screwtape Letters 3. The slacker can only be saved by the diligent hands of the perfect Son. Proverbs 30:4 Who has gone up to heaven and come down? Who has gathered the wind in his hands? Who has bound up the waters in a cloak? Who has established all the ends of the earth? What is his name, and what is the name of his son— if you know? Proverbs 10:4-5 Idle hands make one poor, but diligent hands bring riches. The son who gathers during summer is prudent; the son who sleeps during harvest is disgraceful. Matthew 11:28-30: Come to me, all of you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, because I am lowly and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light. 1 Corinthians 15:58 Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, be steadfast, immovable, always excelling in the Lord’s work, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain. Colossians 3:23-28 Whatever you do, do it from the heart, as something done for the Lord and not for people, knowing that you will receive the reward of an inheritance from the Lord. You serve the Lord Christ. Questions for application: - What work or effort are you avoiding today? - Which comforts and pleasures are keeping you from starting the things God has called you to? - What are you afraid of facing? What excuses are you coming up with? - What are the “little” things you are allowing into your life that will eventually destroy you? - Do you see why Jesus’ perfect life of obedience is good news for you?