“Diligent hands will rule, but laziness ends in forced labor.”
The term laziness in this verse is also translated slothful in other versions. It literally means a person who fails to meet their promises. That was not what I was thinking when I first read it. I find it powerful when Solomon tells us that by making commitments and not following through we are exhibiting laziness. It makes sense but I think we don’t like to see ourselves that way. It makes all the reasons (read excuses) we can creatively come up with nothing but contributing factors in our lazy behavior. I pondered recently people I have known who love to answer requests with “maybe”. They intentionally avoid giving a clear answer. I have been guilty of this. They want to always preserve an ‘out’ and are secretly hoping that they sound willing while hoping you find someone else to do whatever it is. Who can count on a ‘maybe’ right? They may be one of the reasons scripture admonishes our yes to be yes and our no to be no. At work they are eventually overlooked and ignored. Then they wonder where their promotion and advancement went wrong. Actually they seldom care, being satisfied to just get by. Kingdom people are diligent and give of themselves before they are asked. That is why they eventually run things. Today serve whether asked or not and let your word be affirming. #BeTheEdge
“Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.” 1 Peter 4:10 NIV
