The Slothful Man

Proverbs 26:13

The slothful man saith, There is a lion in the way; a lion is in the streets.

The slothful, or lazy man, found an excuse not to leave his house for work. There might have been a lion in the streets. That seems ridiculous to us in modern day America, but during this time, it was not quite so ridiculous. It was still just an excuse, and slothful people are still finding excuses not to work today.

God expects us to work. We find that theme all through the Bible. His Word tells us a man that does not provide for his own family is worse than an infidel. Being lazy is not new, obviously there were lazy people when the book of Proverbs was written. Now people seem to have a sense of entitlement as well. I especially see that in our current political climate with all the discussions of socialism. They seem to feel they are owed the same lifestyle as someone who has spent years working to rise in his chosen profession or someone who has spent years going to school to get a higher paying job. They do not.

Choose your profession. Work diligently and live within your means. Choose your spouse, stay faithful, and work diligently to have a happy marriage. Choose your church, work diligently to support it in action and prayer. The encouragement not to be lazy does not just apply to your job, it applies to EVERYTHING in your life. Do not look for excuses to remain in the state you are in, financial, spiritual, emotional, or otherwise. Put in the work required to succeed. Anything that is worthwhile requires effort.