The Enemy of Hard Work

"He who has a slack hand becomes poor, but the hand of the diligent makes rich." — Proverbs 10:4 (NKJV)

A man went to his doctor, complaining that he was constantly tired, lethargic, and unable to work like he used to. He said, "Doctor, please check me out. I just don’t have the drive I once had." The doctor examined him, ran some tests, and found nothing physically wrong. Finally, the man said, "Give it to me straight, Doc. I can handle it." The doctor replied, "Okay, you’re lazy."

After thinking about it for a moment, the man said, "Can you give me the medical term for that so I can tell my wife?"

Laziness is more than just a bad habit—it’s a spiritual problem. The Bible warns us repeatedly about the dangers of laziness. A lazy person squanders what they have, makes excuses, and ultimately causes frustration for those around them. Proverbs 10:26 likens lazy people to “smoke in the eyes” or “vinegar to the teeth.” That’s how hard they are to deal with! On the other hand, diligent people find that their hard work often leads to blessings and opportunities.

John Smith, in the Jamestown Colony of 1609, observed that many colonists were refusing to work because they had been accustomed to others doing the work for them. As a result, the colony was starving. Smith wrote to the colonists:

"Countrymen, the long experience of our late miseries, I hope, is sufficient to persuade everyone to a present correction of himself." He went on to say:

"Think not that either my pains nor the adventurers’ purses [somebody else's money] will ever maintain you in idleness and sloth. The greater part must be more industrious or starve. You must obey this now for a law: that he who will not work shall not eat, except by sickness he be disabled."

Smith directly referenced a biblical principle found in Scripture: "If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat" (2 Thessalonians 3:10). He acknowledged that some people were unable to work due to genuine reasons, such as illness, but he firmly stated that the able-bodied must work. He concluded by saying, "The labors of 30 or 40 honest and industrious men shall not be consumed to maintain 150 idle loiterers."

As Christians, we are called to be the hardest-working, most dependable people in our workplaces and communities because we are representing Christ. We need to resist the temptation to make excuses and instead embrace the blessings of diligence.

Reflection Question: Are there any excuses or habits of laziness that you need to give to God?

Lord, I ask for Your help to overcome laziness in my life. Show me where I’ve been making excuses and give me the strength to work diligently in all areas. May my life reflect Your excellence and bring You glory. In Jesus' Name, amen.

Taken from "The Blessings of Diligence": https://www.joshfranklin.org/media/g69vrdb/2-the-blessings-of-diligence