God doesn't expect us to be perfect, or to function like machines; we all have our brain dead-sleep-in-and-accomplish-nothing days, and to a certain extent, that's healthy. We need times of rest, but if our lives are marked by laziness, or a lack of productivity, we may need to make some changes.
Lately, I've felt convicted in this area. If I'm honest, I could be more focused and intentional with my time. I want to be an excellent steward of the resources God has given me.
With this in mind, I searched through Proverbs for every verse I could find on diligence and laziness. I was surprised by how many there were.
The Bible has A LOT to say about the value of hard work. Proverbs frequently contrasts the diligent man with the lazy one. Spoiler alert: The diligent man wins.
I am not sharing these verses to make you feel like you are being shamed or scared into hyper productivity. You don't need to become a workaholic. My goal is to inspire you.
When I read these verses I am encouraged because diligence produces a blessed, prosperous life, but even more importantly, being diligent (working hard and with excellence) is a way to serve God by giving him my very best.
I pray these verses are as inspiring to you as they are to me.
Laziness vs. Diligence:
22 Proverbs that will inspire you to get to work
- “Lazy hands make a man poor, but diligent hands bring wealth.” Proverbs 10:4
- “Diligent hands will rule, but laziness ends in slave labor.” Proverbs 12:24
- “The lazy man does not roast his game, but the diligent man prizes his possessions.” Proverbs 12:27
- “The sluggard craves and gets nothing, but the desires of the diligent are fully satisfied.” Proverbs 13:4
- “The wise woman builds her house, but with her own hands the foolish one tears hers down.” Proverbs 14:1
- “All hard work brings a profit, but mere talk leads only to poverty.” Proverbs 14:23
- “The plans of the diligent lead to profit as surely as haste leads to poverty.” Proverbs 21:5
- “He who works his land will have abundant food, but the one who chases fantasies will have his fill of poverty.” Proverbs 28:19
- “Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider its ways and be wise! It has no commander, no overseer or ruler, yet it stores up provisions in summer and gathers its food at harvest. How long will you lie there, you sluggard? When will you get up from your sleep? A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest- and poverty will come on you like a bandit and scarcity like an armed man.” Proverbs 6:6-11
- “The sluggard says, ‘There is a lion in the road, a fierce lion roaming the streets.’” Proverbs 26:13
- “The sluggard says, ‘There is a lion outside!’ or, ‘I will be murdered in the streets!’” Proverbs 22:13
- “Do you see a man skilled in his work? He will serve before kings, he will not serve before obscure men.” Proverbs 22:29
- “Do not love sleep or you will grow poor; stay awake and you will have food to spare.’” Proverbs 20:13
- “One who is slack in his work is brother to one who destroys.” Proverbs 18:9
- “The laborer’s appetite works for him; his hunger drives him on.” Proverbs 16:26
- “The way of the sluggard is blocked with thorns, but the path of the upright is a highway.” Proverbs 15:19
- "The sluggard's craving will be the death of him,because his hands refuse to work. All day long he craves for more, but the righteous give without sparing." Proverbs 21:25-26
- "He who loves pleasure will become poor; whoever loves wine and oil will never be rich." Proverbs 21:17
- "A sluggard does not plow in season; so at harvest time he looks and finds nothing. " Proverbs 20:4
- "The sluggard buries his hand in the dish; he will not even bring it back to his mouth!" Proverbs 19:24
- "Laziness brings on deep sleep, and the shiftless man goes hungry." Proverbs 19:15
- "He who gathers crops in summer is a wise son, but he who sleeps during harvest is a disgraceful son." Proverbs 10:5
If you've been acting more like a lazy person than a diligent one, DO NOT beat yourself up. You may have some habits that need changing (we all do), but if you've surrendered your life to Christ, it's important to recognize that you really are a NEW creation. You have a new identity. You are a hard working, diligent, capable person. It's time to start acting according to who you really are in Christ. And remember this: In your weakness, HIS strength is made perfect.
VERSE TO PONDER:
"Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving." Colossians 3:23-24