Gold Nugget
Verse 9-11: How long will you slumber, O sluggard? When will you rise from your sleep? 10 A little sleep, a little slumber, A little folding of the hands to sleep-- 11 So shall your poverty come on you like a prowler, And your need like an armed man.
Commentary
Our society in the United States is changing for the worse. I've heard the argument that every generation thinks that the next generation is getting worse, and therefore it's just part of life to think this way. Well, roll me up in the category who thinks things are getting worse. Homosexuality is considered okay, we have legalized genocide through abortion, the concept of one way to God is considered horrible, the thought of a man being the head of his home is sexist, etc. Every principle founded in the Word is under attack.
Along with our worsening society is the lack of work ethic in our youth. More and more kids are raised in the air conditioned, overfeed, television abused, video game obsessed lifestyle. Young adults are postponing moving out and instead are staying home longer as opposed to getting out of the house and going to work. More and more young people are not ashamed to sleep in until the afternoon and party or play video games all night. I know people that have started families of their own that still can't get themselves out of bed and be the mom and dad that God expects of them. Eventually, this lifestyle will cost them everything. This scripture in chapter 6 of Proverbs proclaims this truth. They will come to poverty.
Two perspectives are appropriate for today's gold nugget. First, from that of a parent. We must accept the responsibility we have to train up our children in a way that would be pleasing to God. We mustn't enable our children to adopt this lazy, self-centered way of life. We have the responsibility to God to teach them good work ethics and how to put others before themselves. Second, we must look at things from the perspective of the lazy person that wants to sleep all day and avoids work. Repent... there is no other way to address this issue. The scriptures are clear that this is an ungodly lifestyle and destructive to our other relationships. We see it in the scriptures and that should be enough for us to change. There isn't any need to try and convince us of the need to change, if the Word tells us we are wrong then that should be the final authority.
Prayer
Lord, from the perspective of a parent, help me to teach my children to be responsible contributing, hard working adults. Give us the conviction to challenge and expect this level of maturity from our kids. Also Lord, from a self perspective, I want to be diligent in my work for my family and my work in your kingdom. Help me to rise in the morning with a commitment to you, your Word and my responsibilities as a Father. Amen
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