The Diligent and The Sluggard
Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider her ways and be wise!
Which, having no chief, overseer or ruler,
Provides her food in summer and gathers her supplies in the harvest.
How long will you sleep, O sluggard? When will you arise out of your sleep?
Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to lie down and sleep -
So will your poverty come like a robber or one who travels with slowly but surely approaching steps and your want like an armed man.
These verses, beginning in Proverbs 6:6, are meant to be confrontational to the reader (see the exclamation point?), as here and in several examples we'll cover how God is illuminating the difference between being diligent and a sluggard. As we're exploring this today, think in terms beyond your occupation to include the care and handling of your finances.
There are seven call-outs in Proverbs mentioning one who is diligent, and six referencing the sluggard - nearly all these verses list both individuals into each verse to illustrate the stark differences observed in the two, both in their present state and in what their future holds.
Let's first break down the meaning of each. The definition of diligent says "having or showing care and conscientiousness in one's work or duties", and it also implies continuous action. The Hebrew translation and root words include "having determination, being eager, alert, to decide and to move". While for sluggard the definition conveys "a habitually lazy person", with the Hebrew translation saying to "lean idly, being slack and slothful".
Next, we'll dig into these verses and what we can do towards obedience in them:
He becomes poor who works with a slack and idle hand, but the hand of the diligent makes rich. (Proverbs 10:4)
The hand of the diligent will rule, but the slothful will be put to forced labor. (Proverbs 12:24)
Both verses declare that the sluggard will see poverty. And if you consider the weight and commitment of large debts in our current society, it is nearly the same as being put to forced labor. Alternatively, we are encouraged that diligent work will eventually bring wealth and promotion.
Do you see a man diligent and skillful in his business? He will stand before kings; he will not stand before obscure men. (Proverbs 22:29)
This verse relates closely to the most recent one, bringing encouragement that God will reward your obedience of being diligent with success. He has placed within you the ability to succeed in your vocation, and one of the great "thrusters" to doing great work is to work unto the Lord - read Colossians 3 and also reference in the Archives section the post from September 2021 titled "For The Lord".
As vinegar to the teeth and smoke to the eyes, so are sluggards to those who send them. (Proverbs 10:26)
This verse illustrates matters from the viewpoint of the owner or supervisor, how they will come to regret giving a sluggard a task... as the result will be bitter for them and sore to their eyes.
A lazy man won't even dress the game he gets while hunting, but the diligent man makes good use of everything he finds. (Proverbs 12:27) TLB
This is referencing how even after obtaining wages or material possessions, the slothful one will be unresponsible with them. For the diligent one, it speaks of how the possessions are precious to them and that they will not be wasted.
Sluggards do not plow in season; so at harvest time they look but find nothing. (Proverbs 20:4)
Here we see that the sluggard is impervious to the obvious times to be doing required tasks, and how they are lacking in the end as a result. We can head this off by planning ahead and taking decisive action at the appropriate times and seasons.
The appetite of the sluggard craves and gets nothing, but the appetite of the diligent is abundantly supplied. (Proverbs 13:4)
My opinion here is that biggest difference between the two is that the diligent one understands the relationship between their work and supplying their needs, while the sluggard has yet to consciously make that connection. There is also a hint here that the diligent has their "appetite" within reasonable parameters.
The thoughts of the steadily diligent tend only to plenteousness, but everyone who is impatient and hasty hastens only to want. (Proverbs 21:5)
The productive mindset of the diligent one leads to their abundance, while the other person "chases" things (money-making schemes, deals too good to be true and impulse purchases without thought) that leaves them unsatisfied and only wanting more of them.
Be diligent to know the state of your flocks, and look well to your herds; For riches are not forever; does a crown endure to all generations? (Proverbs 27:23-24)
To fulfill this, keep a close eye on your work and your finances. Review where your spending is occurring and what can be improved towards the goal of reducing and removing debts. Regularly assess your savings and retirement account performance that they are productive.
The sluggard is wiser in his own opinion than seven people who respond with good sense. (Proverbs 26:16) NET
This person is in the same path of The Fool (see the April 2023 post). They have so much lofty pride and belief in their own wisdom, there is no entry point for anyone else - or the Word of God to penetrate. We combat this by being open, to receiving what is good... that comes from the Word of God, His servants like Pastor Aaron, and other sound sources like this post.
Looking back to our opening verses from Proverbs 6 of considering the ant, and how it continued with solid instruction... think about how the real Author of all Scripture is God, who created the ant, and obviously built into that creation the diligent characteristics spoken of, so He could teach us from that little insect even until this day. He is also the One who will move on your behalf to fulfill the rewards spoken of for being diligent.
God Bless you may He show Himself greatly to you,
Paul
