The Harvest of Laziness

Bill Fitzhenry's Thoughts For Today…

The Harvest of Laziness

Proverbs 20:4 NEV

4 The sluggard does not plow in the autumn;
he will seek at harvest and have nothing.

The word sluggard is used six times in Proverbs and it always has the same meaning. It is from a root word meaning “to lean” or one who is idle to the point of indolence. The word used in verse 4 from this root word is more particularly to be slothful, a sluggard, or for us lazy.

The lazy man has a handy excuse, its snowing out or there is a lion in the street. He is a person who loves his rest, “a little sleep, a little folding of the hands.” Or maybe he is one who plays too hard and stays up too late. The writer of Proverbs terms it as too much wine and burning oil.

Proverbs 20:4 is interesting in the certain results of laziness, but goes further and gives insight into the folly of the lazy person.

This is a picture from an agricultural economy but it is suited to any type of production. It doesn’t matter whether the production desired is a result of physical labor, intellectual labor, or spiritual labor there is an application here.

1. The identity of the subject is in the definition of the word “sluggard”. He is idle, indolent, and disinterested in his necessary task. Whether he leans on a post at a convenient corner talking, lies in his bed asleep in working hours, or lives a profligate life he is not at his place of labor doing what is required.

2. His failure is twofold.

A. He does not do the required task, he “does not plow”. The farmer knows there is preparation required. Plowing is preparatory to sowing, and sowing is required for reaping. That it is two steps or more removed from the harvest might make it less attractive but plowing is no less necessary.

B. He ignores the timeliness of the requirement. For this farmer it is seasonal. But for any task there is a time to do it. In the instance of the farmer this was critical.

It is well to note that there is always a time to do the work. And work not done on time usually fails to accomplish all it is intended to do.

3. There is the certain results, “nothing”. What else could be expected? The writer of Proverbs gives us a glimpse of the sluggard’s nothing. Proverbs 24:30-31. This “nothing” does not say there is nothing growing but that which grows is worse than worthless. It is ugly and destructive.

4. The question above is answered by the foolish lazy farmer. “He will seek at harvest.” His folly identifies him. He has failed in the basics and yet expects a profitable return. The writer of Proverbs has informed us that only in labor is there to be an expectation of profit. Proverbs 14:23.

The simple message of Proverbs 20:4 is evident. There is nothing for the lazy one at harvest time.

Look at this as a spiritual requirement and consider the folly of professing Christians.

• That spiritual growth can come without effort.
• That teaching can be done without preparation.
• That churches will grow without labor.

There is a more personal application that can be made to the effect necessary for Christian growth.

• There are those who claim Christianity who have never read ten Psalms.
• There are professing Christians who have never read one Old Testament book.
• There are those who claim salvation who have never read one Gospel.
• There are those whom no one would ever know they are Christians other than those who see them on Sunday morning.

It is with deep heart-felt sorrow that it must be stated “O sluggard you will come and look but will have nothing at harvest time.”