Hard Work
Theme Verse: Prov 13:4 The sluggard craves and gets nothing, but the desires of the diligent are fully satisfied. (NIV)
I. The Sluggard
Prov 24:30‑34
30 I went past the field of the sluggard, past the vineyard of the man who lacks judgment;
31 thorns had come up everywhere, the ground was covered with weeds, and the stone wall was in ruins.
32 I applied my heart to what I observed and learned a lesson from what I saw:
33 A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest‑‑
34 and poverty will come on you like a bandit and scarcity like an armed man. (NIV)
What do we see in our own world that is like this?
A. Dishonest
Prov 13:11‑12
11 Dishonest money dwindles away, but he who gathers money little by little makes it grow.
12 Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life. (NIV)
What is it about dishonest money which causes it to dwindle?
B. Gives up easily
Prov 15:19
19 The way of the sluggard is blocked with thorns, but the path of the upright is a highway. (NIV)
Prov 22:13
13 The sluggard says, "There is a lion outside!" or, "I will be murdered in the streets!" (NIV)
Prov 26:13
13 The sluggard says, "There is a lion in the road, a fierce lion roaming the streets!" (NIV)
What excuses to people find today not to work hard?
What thorns block the way of the unrighteous?
C. Destroys
Prov 18:9
9 One who is slack in his work is brother to one who destroys. (NIV)
In what way does the sluggard destroy, or is like one who destroys?
D. Is Hungry
Prov 19:15
15 Laziness brings on deep sleep, and the shiftless man goes hungry. (NIV)
Prov 20:4
4 A sluggard does not plow in season; so at harvest time he looks but finds nothing. (NIV)
Prov 20:13
13 Do not love sleep or you will grow poor; stay awake and you will have food to spare. (NIV)
What does shiftless mean?
Why is the shiftless hungry?
E. Driven by Cravings
Prov 21:25‑26
25 The sluggard's craving will be the death of him, because his hands refuse to work.
26 All day long he craves for more, but the righteous give without sparing. (NIV)
Prov 23:20‑21
20 Do not join those who drink too much wine or gorge themselves on meat,
21 for drunkards and gluttons become poor, and drowsiness clothes them in rags. (NIV)
What is it about addictions that hurt our lives?
The Diligent
A. Contrast between the Sluggard and the Diligent
Prov 24:10
10 If you falter in times of trouble, how small is your strength! (NIV)
Prov 25:2
2 It is the glory of God to conceal a matter; to search out a matter is the glory of kings. (NIV)
B. Motivated by hunger
Prov 16:26
26 The laborer's appetite works for him; his hunger drives him on. (NIV)
What is the balance between encouraging to work and compassion?
When do you challenge a person to get off their keister and work, and when do you put your arm of compassion around a person who is struggling and sympathize?
C. Diligence produces profit
Prov 21:5
5 The plans of the diligent lead to profit as surely as haste leads to poverty. (NIV)
Give some examples of diligence. What is the value of diligence?
D. Skill in labor is essential for growth
Prov 22:28‑29
28 Do not move an ancient boundary stone set up by your forefathers.
29 Do you see a man skilled in his work? He will serve before kings; he will not serve before obscure men. (NIV)
How can developing a skill help you?
E. Priority Planning
Prov 24:27
27 Finish your outdoor work and get your fields ready; after that, build your house. (NIV)
What does this mean?
F. Seize the Moment
Prov 27:23‑27
23 Be sure you know the condition of your flocks, give careful attention to your herds;
24 for riches do not endure forever, and a crown is not secure for all generations.
25 When the hay is removed and new growth appears and the grass from the hills is gathered in,
26 the lambs will provide you with clothing, and the goats with the price of a field.
27 You will have plenty of goats' milk to feed you and your family and to nourish your servant girls. (NIV)
G. Hang in There, Work Hard
Prov 28:19‑20
19 He who works his land will have abundant food, but the one who chases fantasies will have his fill of poverty.
20 A faithful man will be richly blessed, but one eager to get rich will not go unpunished. (NIV)
What is the difference between a wish and a goal?
A motivational speaker once said that the difference between and dream and a goal is when you dream you are comfortable thinking about it, but when it is a goal you are uncomfortable until it is accomplished.
III. Summary Statement
Prov 6:6‑11
6 Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider its ways and be wise!
7 It has no commander, no overseer or ruler,
8 yet it stores its provisions in summer and gathers its food at harvest.
9 How long will you lie there, you sluggard? When will you get up from your sleep?
10 A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest‑‑
11 and poverty will come on you like a bandit and scarcity like an armed man. (NIV)
New Testament Application
2 Tim 2:1‑13
1 You then, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.
2 And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable men who will also be qualified to teach others.
3 Endure hardship with us like a good soldier of Christ Jesus.
4 No one serving as a soldier gets involved in civilian affairs‑‑ he wants to please his commanding officer.
5 Similarly, if anyone competes as an athlete, he does not receive the victor's crown unless he competes according to the rules.
6 The hardworking farmer should be the first to receive a share of the crops.
7 Reflect on what I am saying, for the Lord will give you insight into all this.
8 Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, descended from David. This is my gospel,
9 for which I am suffering even to the point of being chained like a criminal. But God's word is not chained.
10 Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, that they too may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory.
11 Here is a trustworthy saying: If we died with him, we will also live with him;
12 if we endure, we will also reign with him. If we disown him, he will also disown us;
13 if we are faithless, he will remain faithful, for he cannot disown himself.
(NIV)
How are the soldier, athlete and farmer to be good models for us?
The gospel also involves hard work, but the results are eternal!
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