I went past the field of a sluggard, past the vineyard of someone who has no sense; thorns had come up everywhere, the ground was covered with weeds, and the stone wall was in ruins. I applied my heart to what I observed and learned a lesson from what I saw: A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest—and poverty will come on you like a thief and scarcity like an armed man.

Various Proverbs 

I went past the field of a sluggard, past the vineyard of someone who has no sense; thorns had come up everywhere, the ground was covered with weeds, and the stone wall was in ruins. I applied my heart to what I observed and learned a lesson from what I saw: A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest—and poverty will come on you like a thief and scarcity like an armed man. Proverbs 24:30-34

Day 141 of my chronological study of the Bible with The Daily Bible® - In Chronological Order (NIV®) (available by purchase through Amazon - author F. LaGard Smith) continues with a study of the Proverbs - primarily of Solomon, but including the Proverbs of other authors as well. This morning my focus includes proverbs that cover economic well-being (wealth and poverty, benevolence and generosity, oppression of the poor, industriousness, conservation, and surety for another).

My parents owned a small-business and I experienced first hand their hard work and work ethic - which they passed down to me.  I am grateful that they did.  Now that I am a father, I am trying to pass on the same lessons to my own kids.

Proverbs 24:30-34 helps me stay focused on this lesson.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who has blessed me beyond what I deserve - thank You Jesus!  I know that I am not deserving...primarily because I sin...daily, including my neglect of my most important relationship - You!  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Woe to you who are complacent in Zion, and to you who feel secure on Mount Samaria, you notable men of the foremost nation, to whom the people of Israel come!

Amos 6

Woe to you who are complacent in Zion, and to you who feel secure on Mount Samaria, you notable men of the foremost nation, to whom the people of Israel come! v1

God does not want lukewarm believers - He wants our full attention and He wants us to be in action.


Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do. James 1:22-25

Indeed, to them you are nothing more than one who sings love songs with a beautiful voice and plays an instrument well, for they hear your words but do not put them into practice. Ezekiel 33:32

 

As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead. James 2:26

 

‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.’ Matthew 25:45

 

Sluggards do not plow in season; so at harvest time they look but find nothing. Proverbs 20:4

 

We must live with the end in mind, be eternally-focused and ready so that when the day comes when Jesus returns He does not say ‘I don’t know you or where you come from. Away from me, all you evildoers!’(Luke 13:27).

 

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are a great God that is slow to anger and abounding in love, full of compassion, mercy and patience for me.  You loved me and chose me despite my sin.  You rescued me and You continue to rescue me...thank You Jesus!  I am not worth such love and compassion.  I am full of harsh thoughts and words, and I am lazy.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome such sin and turn towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul and mind and love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give myself and Lisa strength.  Please heal and cure her of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Savior.  Help me serve You, my family, our church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

How long will you lie there, you sluggard? When will you get up from your sleep? A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest—and poverty will come on you like a thief and scarcity like an armed man.

Proverbs 6

How long will you lie there, you sluggard? When will you get up from your sleep? A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest—and poverty will come on you like a thief and scarcity like an armed man. v9-11

God wants us to be in action - He gives us many commands and He gives us the Great Commission, which includes teaching others to obey the everything He has commanded us to do.

Sloth is not a good thing as this morning's verses indicate - we need to be ready!  See other verses on sloth here.

Our work must be for Him and to be a light unto others.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, what a great God You are!  I am not worthy of Your love - yet You pour it out daily, all day long, for me.  Thank You Jesus for Your mercy and compassion and grace.  Please forgive me for my sloth!  Help me overcome my sloth and turn towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, mind and strength.  Help me love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith. Give me strength.  Give Lisa strength.  Please heal and cure Lisa of her cancer and the side effects from chemo.  Help me lead and serve Lisa, Zach, and Dustin...and serve You.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.