DILIGENT & LAZY (3)

(Message by Tanny Keng)

0. Introduction

a) Proverbs makes it clear that diligence - being willing to work hard and do one's best at any job given to him or her - is a vital part of wise living. We work hard not to become rich, famous, or admired (although those may by by-products), but to serve God with our very best during our lives.

1. The diligent: "Stay awake and have food to spare"

a) The lazy

i) Love sleep and grow poor (Proverbs 20:13)

b) Text reference: Proverbs 20:13

i) ¹³ Do not love sleep, lest you come to poverty; Open your eyes, and you will be satisfied with bread. (Proverbs 20:13 NKJV)

2. The diligent: "Make careful plans"

a) The lazy

i) Make hasty speculations (Proverbs 21:5)

ii) Love pleasure and become poor (Proverbs 21:17)

b) Text reference: Proverbs 21:5; 21:17

i) ⁵ The plans of the diligent lead surely to plenty, But those of everyone who is hasty, surely to poverty. (Proverbs 21:5 NKJV)

ii) ¹⁷ He who loves pleasure will be a poor man; He who loves wine and oil will not be rich. (Proverbs 21:17 NKJV)

3. The diligent: "Give without sparing"

a) The lazy

i) Desire things but refuse to work for them (Proverbs 21:25-26)

ii) Are full of excuses for not working (Proverbs 22:13)

b) Text reference: Proverbs 21:25-26; 22:13

i) ²⁵ The desire of the lazy man kills him, For his hands refuse to labor. ²⁶ He covets greedily all day long, But the righteous gives and does not spare. (Proverbs 21:25-26 NKJV)

ii) ¹³ The lazy man says, “There is a lion outside! I shall be slain in the streets!” (Proverbs 22:13 NKJV)

4. The diligent: "Will stand before kings"

a) The lazy

i) None (Proverbs 22:29)

ii) Sleep too much, which leads to poverty (Proverbs 24:30-34)

b) Text reference: Proverbs 22:29: 24:30-34

i) ²⁹ Do you see a man who excels in his work? He will stand before kings; He will not stand before unknown men. (Proverbs 22:29 NKJV)

ii) ³⁰ I went by the field of the lazy man, And by the vineyard of the man devoid of understanding;
³¹ And there it was, all overgrown with thorns; Its surface was covered with nettles; Its stone wall was broken down. ³² When I saw it, I considered it well; I looked on it and received instruction: ³³ A little sleep, a little slumber, A little folding of the hands to rest; ³⁴ So shall your poverty come like a prowler, And your need like an armed man. (Proverbs 24:30-34 NKJV)

5. The diligent: "Reap abundance through hard work"

a) The lazy

i) Experience poverty because of following frivolity (Proverbs 28:19)

b) Text reference: Proverbs 28:19

i) ¹⁹ He who tills his land will have plenty of bread, But he who follows frivolity (silly or not serious behavior) will have poverty enough! (Proverbs 28:19 NKJV)

 

The End ...