Reading for Today:
Proverb Chapter 20
Gold Nugget
Verse 4, 13 “4 The lazy man will not plow because of
winter; He will beg during harvest and have nothing. 13 Do not love sleep, lest you come to poverty; Open your eyes, and
you will be satisfied with bread.”
Commentary
In a society of instant gratification, we are less and
less likely to see an increase in people willing to work for what they need. We
can microwave most foods, download instantly, and have mail overnight. The lazy
man mentioned in verse 3 will not work today for something that isn't coming
today. It's hard for us to appreciate the "law of the harvest".
Even
up to a few decades ago, people knew and understood this important principle.
You worked hard in the fields for months, tilling the land, planting crops,
praying for rain and then harvesting. Then you canned food for the winter
months, or until the next harvest, etc. Lazy people could not survive.
I'll admit I struggle having patience with people that
won't get up out of bed in the morning. "Do
not love sleep, lest you come to poverty". I've known men that will
not get up and go to work and women that will sleep until the crack of noon
while their little ones are running around unattended. People don't want to do
anything that doesn't have an immediate reward.
No matter how convenient technology may make things, the
concept of working, being patient and then reaping the rewards of our labors is
a necessary characteristic for every Christian. It may be a stretch for us to
learn how to be diligent, be patient and wait on the Lord to bring the
increase, but it is required of us from Him. We need to be willing to wake up
and get busy or suffer the consequences.
Prayer
Lord, help to see
the areas of my life where I have been slothful. Help me also to see where I
need to be diligent and do the things that are required of me. I want to do you
work and the work that is required of me from my family to ensure that we don't
suffer. I want to reflect godly character by showing the diligence and patience
that a disciple of Christ possesses.
Amen
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Good one... and good timing. I slept til 7am today when my alarm was set for 6am!
ReplyDeleteThanks. I should have gotten up earlier myself, but I was up late writing a devotional about waking up early. lol... I still made it in on time: -)
ReplyDelete