Lazy
(Prov 10:26 NLT) Lazy people irritate their employers, like vinegar to the teeth or smoke in the eyes.
This morning we continue our series, “Unlocking the Power of Proverbs – Walking in the Wisdom of God.” In this text Solomon takes a departure from his antithetical pattern. Instead of comparing and contrasting two ideas he simply makes a statement about lazy people.
in a commentary I read of this verse, said, “As vinegar to the teeth – the acid softening and dissolving the alkali of the bone, so as to impair their texture, and render them incapable of masticating; and as smoke affects the eyes – irritating their tender vessels, so as to give pain and prevent distinct vision; so the sluggard, the lounging, thriftless messenger, who never returns in time with the desired answer.” That is clearly NOT the affect the Father wants us to have.
This reminds me of the parable of the talents that Jesus taught in Matthew chapter 25. It is a story about a master (a business man) who gave three of his servants (his employees) sums of money to ‘work’ while he was gone. Jesus said, “To one he gave five talents of money, to another two talents, and to another one talent, each according to his ability. Then he went on his journey” (v.15). Notice that he did not give them what they could not handle. He gave them their sums “according” to the their ability.
It would be unrighteous to expect someone to do what you know they are incapable of performing, so this employer assigned tasks in accordance with the ability of his employees. He wanted to set them up for success. That way they would be rewarded and the business could prosper as well. Everyone wins when all the people in an organization do their part – according to their ability.
The one that received five talents doubled the money, the one who received two doubled the money as well, but the one who received one did nothing with it. He buried it. He basically sat on it. He was unproductive. Verse 19 says, “After a long time the master of those servants returned and settled accounts with them.”
Notice that the employer gave them ample time to complete their tasks. He was not unreasonable at all. He simply expected them to do, what he had adequately equipped them to do. When the man with five talents and the one with two both told their employer that they doubled the money, the employer was obviously happy. He said, “Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master's happiness!” (v.23).
He basically promoted them. They proved that they could maximize one level, so they were ready for the next. However, the third employee did not get the same answer. The employer was very upset and called this man wicked and lazy. He told him that the least he could have done was to put the money in the bank, so that it could collect interest. By burying it in the ground he did not even do that. The employer then took the money from the lazy employee and gave it to the one who had 10 talents of money.
One of the points I bring out when I teach from this parable is that God is pleased with duplication/multiplication, but not stagnation/conservation. The man with one talent did not lose it, but he did not do anything with it either!
So what does this mean to you ? It means that as a believer you are called to make a positive impact – to add value – everywhere you go, but you cannot do that if you are lazy.
Winston Churchill said, “Continuous effort – not strength or intelligence – is the key to unlocking our potential.” You don’t have to be the smartest or the strongest, you just have to put forth an honest effort and you will experience God’s best! Determine to be a blessing, not a burden, to your employer today!
Father, I know You have equipped me with certain gifts and abilities. I also know that You expect me to do what You have equipped me to do. I declare, by faith, that I will not let you down! You are a God of progression, not regression, nor stagnation; therefore, I will do all that I can to progress both naturally and spiritually. As I do my part, I know You will do Yours and bless the work of my hands, so that You and I (together), can make a positive impact on my sphere of influence today. In Jesus’ name. Amen!
(Prov 10:26 NLT) Lazy people irritate their employers, like vinegar to the teeth or smoke in the eyes.
This morning we continue our series, “Unlocking the Power of Proverbs – Walking in the Wisdom of God.” In this text Solomon takes a departure from his antithetical pattern. Instead of comparing and contrasting two ideas he simply makes a statement about lazy people.
in a commentary I read of this verse, said, “As vinegar to the teeth – the acid softening and dissolving the alkali of the bone, so as to impair their texture, and render them incapable of masticating; and as smoke affects the eyes – irritating their tender vessels, so as to give pain and prevent distinct vision; so the sluggard, the lounging, thriftless messenger, who never returns in time with the desired answer.” That is clearly NOT the affect the Father wants us to have.
This reminds me of the parable of the talents that Jesus taught in Matthew chapter 25. It is a story about a master (a business man) who gave three of his servants (his employees) sums of money to ‘work’ while he was gone. Jesus said, “To one he gave five talents of money, to another two talents, and to another one talent, each according to his ability. Then he went on his journey” (v.15). Notice that he did not give them what they could not handle. He gave them their sums “according” to the their ability.
It would be unrighteous to expect someone to do what you know they are incapable of performing, so this employer assigned tasks in accordance with the ability of his employees. He wanted to set them up for success. That way they would be rewarded and the business could prosper as well. Everyone wins when all the people in an organization do their part – according to their ability.
The one that received five talents doubled the money, the one who received two doubled the money as well, but the one who received one did nothing with it. He buried it. He basically sat on it. He was unproductive. Verse 19 says, “After a long time the master of those servants returned and settled accounts with them.”
Notice that the employer gave them ample time to complete their tasks. He was not unreasonable at all. He simply expected them to do, what he had adequately equipped them to do. When the man with five talents and the one with two both told their employer that they doubled the money, the employer was obviously happy. He said, “Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master's happiness!” (v.23).
He basically promoted them. They proved that they could maximize one level, so they were ready for the next. However, the third employee did not get the same answer. The employer was very upset and called this man wicked and lazy. He told him that the least he could have done was to put the money in the bank, so that it could collect interest. By burying it in the ground he did not even do that. The employer then took the money from the lazy employee and gave it to the one who had 10 talents of money.
One of the points I bring out when I teach from this parable is that God is pleased with duplication/multiplication, but not stagnation/conservation. The man with one talent did not lose it, but he did not do anything with it either!
So what does this mean to you ? It means that as a believer you are called to make a positive impact – to add value – everywhere you go, but you cannot do that if you are lazy.
Winston Churchill said, “Continuous effort – not strength or intelligence – is the key to unlocking our potential.” You don’t have to be the smartest or the strongest, you just have to put forth an honest effort and you will experience God’s best! Determine to be a blessing, not a burden, to your employer today!
Father, I know You have equipped me with certain gifts and abilities. I also know that You expect me to do what You have equipped me to do. I declare, by faith, that I will not let you down! You are a God of progression, not regression, nor stagnation; therefore, I will do all that I can to progress both naturally and spiritually. As I do my part, I know You will do Yours and bless the work of my hands, so that You and I (together), can make a positive impact on my sphere of influence today. In Jesus’ name. Amen!
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