Proverbs 10:4, 5: Satisfaction in Laziness

He who has a slack hand becomes poor, but the hand of the diligent makes rich. He who gathers in summer is a wise son; he who sleeps in harvest is a son who causes shame. Proverbs 10:4, 5

Slack: negligent, idle hand

Poor: to be destitute -- lack, needy

Diligent: to be alert, to decide

Rich: to accumulate; specifically to grow

Wise: act circumspectly, prudently

Shame:  to be ashamed, to be disappointed

Work ethic. It's lacking in our society today. We used to take pride in doing a job well. Now people want to get nothing for little or no work. And many of those that do work, don't put forth any effort. 

Idle hand. Trouble begins when one has nothing to do. And idle hands lead to laziness and that leads to trouble. 

Diligent isn't just an idea, rather is translates into action. It is a specific choice and that choice then leads to action that leads to riches. 

Do nothing and be rewarded. That seems to be the norm in our world today. However, as we look around, we can see that those that live that philosophy are angry, discontent, and in trouble. Why are those who except everything for nothing so discontented? Because there is nothing to take pride in; there is no satisfaction in laziness. 

What about those that can't work? That truly are disabled. Even those that are disabled or too old still find purpose and meaning by doing what they can. Those that make excuses for doing nothing live in states of depression and frustration. Those that try to do all they can for themselves and others, are encouraged and happy. 

Negligent. Diligent. Two opposites. Satisfaction in laziness. Gratification in industriousness. 

Shame. Riches. Two opposites. Two different results based upon actions and attitude. 

The only way to assure that one does not create a mindset of having a satisfaction in laziness is to have a heart permeated with a deep sense of reverence for God (Acts 9:31 MSG). For when we respect and fear God, we want out attitudes and actions to reflect His wisdom. We want to obey Him and put forth the effort in knowing that we are doing a job—and doing it diligently. 

Proverbs 8:15-17: Diligently Searching

By me kings reign, and rulers decree justice. By me princes rule, and nobles, all the judges of the earth. I love those who love me, and those who seek me diligently will find me. Proverbs 8:15-17

Love: to have affection for , friend

Seek: with longing, long for, with the implication of earnestness, to search for painstaking

Find: Attain, acquire, take hold on, seize 

Time. 

On what do I spend my time? Each day has 24 hours. We all are given the same time each day—24 hours. 1440 minutes. 86,400 seconds. 

Out of the 25 hours, 1440 minutes, or 86,400 seconds—how much time is spent DILIGENTLY searching for Wisdom? 

Each DAY on AVERAGE we spend .........

• 7 hours sleeping.
• 3 hours each day watching TV. 
• 7.5 hours working. 
• 40 minutes each day on Facebook. 
• 17 minutes  exercising.
• 90 minutes communicating, socializing, talking (face to face).
• 70 minutes shopping
• 15 minutes reading books. 
• 70 minutes eating and drinking.
• 30 minutes doing housework.
• 60 minutes involved in a religious or spiritual activity.

Where does searching for wisdom fit in your daily schedule? Do you carve out a few minutes sometime in the middle of checking Facebook? Do you attempt to search for wisdom as you watch TV? Or maybe you just are waiting for wisdom to appear in your dreams. 

Long for. Search for painstakingly. With earnest. Diligently. 

If you knew that 1 million dollars was in your house somewhere–and you only had to find it—would you sit around all day "liking" random posts on Facebook? Would you sit down in front of the TV for 2 and half hours? I highly doubt it! You'd painstakingly turn your home upside down searching for $1,000,000! With earnest. Diligently. 

Throughout the first 7 chapters of Proverbs, we've read over and over how priceless wisdom is. It's a valued treasure. It's worth more than gold or silver. Yet, we simply sit and idly waste away our days. And then we wonder why we make mistakes. We wonder why we are wandering aimlessly. We wonder why we make foolish decisions. 

Wisdom is a valued treasure which we must put for a diligent effort to find and seize. And the diligent effort begins with a heart that is permeated with a deep sense of reverence for God (Act 9:31 MSG). 

How much time will be spent diligently searching for wisdom today?