Now we turn to Proverbs 10:4-7. There is a contrast in this text between the lazy vs diligent and the ending result. There is a lot of commentary that will be given to our culture today and prayerfully many will heed.

Let us start with Proverbs 10:4, and there is the reality of those who have a slack hand. Slack has a few meanings: Deceitful, wickedness, false, lazy, lies, etc. It is used, in this context, to reflect the aspect of laziness. Those who are lazy will become poor. In this Historical context, it was an agrarian culture. If someone did not work the fields or animals, they would not grow or harvest their food. If they do not, they will not have anything to eat, sell, trade, etc. This brings them to the point of poverty. There was very little in the way of safety nets or structures in place to help and upkeep those who are not working. The fullest truth of 2 Thessalonians 3:10 is applicable. They do not work, they do not eat.

We now come to our modern day. Our governmental society has implemented social programs to reward and upkeep those who do not work. For many, it is easier to not work and yet their will be the programs that will award higher money than those who do work. It is not abnormal to hear of someone who is working really hard, trying to make it, being hit will less help and benefits because, “They make too much”. Yet those who do not work, are handed assistance, over and above, anything they could ever need, want, or use. This is upside down. This does not condemn the ability to live off the amount made for retirement, or for those who are incapable of working (narrow application), but what it does condemn is our modern day phenomena of welfare, and laziness. There are many who are rewarded for not working, which puts more burden on those who do work. But another aspect that is even more damaging. There are many, without laying the groundwork for responsibility, will spend a lot of money they do not have, in order to try and “win” large sums of money. Yes, the lottery. This is a major scam that has many desiring quick riches. The Bible talks a lot about earthly riches and it is very telling:

1. There is no value to it: Psalm 49:6-7

2. It is inferior to Spiritual riches: Hebrews 11:26

3. It can be lost quickly: Proverbs 23:4-5

4. It will never satisfy: Ecclesiastes 5:13-14

5. Gain that is hastily gathered, is not blessed: Proverbs 20:21

We could go on and on with this, but this serves a good basis. What then should the response be?

1. We are not to put it first: 1 Kings 3:11, 13

2. We are not to trust in it: Psalm 52:7

3. It is not to be desired: Proverbs 30:8

4. We are to work with our own hands to earn: 1 Thessalonians 4:11

5. We are not to pursue wealth that is gained quickly: Proverbs 13:11

6. We are not to love money: 1 Timothy 6:10

7. We are not to pursue after wealth at the expense of others: Proverbs 22:16

8. We are not to oppress the poor to get rich: Proverbs 22:16

In our modern day, the lure of getting rich quickly, with little to no effort, or to have everyone else pay and support regardless of whether work is done or not harms those who are working, and it also extremely hurts those who are poor (especially the lottery). Instead, if the Biblical approach is followed, not only will much of the, at least for us, U.S. debt be lessened, but we will also find there are many who will actually find motivation to work: they are hungry. Sure, not everyone will agree to this, but again, hunger is a great motivator.

Work is a gift from God. It is how we are able to honor and worship Him, as well as learn and grow in our own body, mind, and strength. This new desire to get wealth and possessions for nothing, or to have everyone else support us no matter what is so adverse to what God intends from us.

The alternative is also found in this text. It is not that having wealth, or getting rich is evil. Absolutely not! Those who work hard, who save, who invest in themselves, others, and their industries, they should absolutely receive the reward for their work! Our society and many leaders have and do attempt to create social conflict between those who have money and those who do not. This is an evil work. We should be the most encouraging for those who earn and gain because of their own work, and industrious labor. Notice there is no condemnation for gaining in Proverbs 10:4.

The ones who have diligent hands brings true and lasting wealth. Unlike quick gain, the lessons and groundwork was laid in order to use the wealth in an appropriate way. The word diligent brings with it the idea of that which is sharp, decision, etc. This diligence brings with it riches that can be appreciated and used rightly. But to illustrate this, the author goes into Proverbs 10:5 and we will end here.

The one who gathers in the summer is wise. They are using the time to gather and store up as needed. Someone who is wise knows that winter is coming, and in preparation, they bring in what was grown and is growing in preparation for the coming winter. This is wisdom. This is what allows an individual to grow in their possessions because they are being faithful to what they are needing and called to do.

Not so for the one who sleeps. This individual sleeps through harvest. Instead of being part of the work with the family, this son would rather sleep and rest. The son will not use the time, even in the very moment when the work MUST be done! What will happen is this son will become a burden and a source of shame and hurt on the rest of the family. It drags down others and causes more work on them because they now have to care for the one who failed to do the job. See how this is fitting in with Proverbs 10:4?

This reminds me of the old American story of the Ant and the Grasshopper. The ant used the time to gather and bring in. The grasshopper didn’t. The story ends with the grasshopper begging and the ant was well prepared. Too many today are the grasshopper, denying the value of work, the call of work, and the responsibility we have in work. Even more sad, many Christians are trapped in this same mindset as well. As a Christian, we should instead carry ourselves differently. We should value work, and use work as a way to honor and glorify God, not being trapped by the allure of fast gain, especially at the expense of others. We are called, first and foremost, to honor and worship God and to display the truth of God’s Word to the world around us. What does the Bible say? Here are some lessons and we end:

1. We are to be faithful with what we have, no matter how little or much: Luke 16:10

2. We are to seek the Kingdom of God and His righteousness first: Matthew 6:33

3. We need to realize we are not the sum of all our possessions: Luke 12:15

4. We need to remember God will provide for all our needs: Philippians 4:19

Once we have these truths down, and we work faithfully, being satisfied with what we make, we will not be the poor son who brings shame. Instead, we are going to be faithful and diligent and through that, God will get glorified.