Proverbs 10:4

An older paper I wrote:

Proverbs 10:4

"Sloth makes you poor; diligence brings wealth." (Proverbs 10:4 The Message) Proverbs 10:4 informs you that you reap what you sow, but the proverb is not just speaking of monetary rewards but of life in general. You do poorly in school and you will receive deplorable grades. You work diligently in school and you receive excellent grades. The proverb can also apply to life at home. If you do not do your job then you will forfeit you privileges. Complete your job and reap the benefits of having your privileges. If you are lazy in your spiritual race consequently your relationship with God will not be all it can be if you had worked hard and put time and effort into your relationship with God. Let's take a more in-depth look at Proverbs 10:4.


Obviously if you are lazy in school then your grades will be poor. The Bible says you will reap what you sow. Sow bad seeds and reap a distasteful harvest. You can sow bad seeds in school by being a procrastinator. Procrastinating will make you a "Stress case," says Sean Covey in his book the 7 Habits of Highly Effective Teens, "and you'll seldom be performing to your potential." Covey states later that the procrastinator's motto is "I'm going to stop procrastinating--sometime soon." Procrastinating is not the only way to receive poor grades. Getting make-up will hurt your grades. Being late to class does not speak well of your character. If you will work diligently by completing assignments ahead of time, avoiding make-up, and being on time to class you will reap the benefit of your diligent work and receive extraordinary grades.


Sowing bad seeds in your life at home will cause you to reap an unpleasant harvest. Not completing your job can cause you to lose your privileges. Being late will cause you to lose your privileges. Proverbs 3:33 reads, "The Lord's curse is on the house of the wicked, but he blesses the house of the righteous." If one will do what is required of him then he will reap the benefits of his work and receive the blessing of the Lord. Home is where the heart is!


Finally, if you are lazy in your spiritual race then you will definitely reap negative benefits. Sleeping in church or not being attentive will not bring about positive benefits. You will reap a poor relationship with the Father. Paul writes in I Corinthians 9:24-25, "Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last." God expects you to work hard and be prepared. How can you be prepared to win an ever-lasting crown? Hebrews 12:1 reads, "Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us."(Italics mine) If you do as Hebrews instructs then one day the Master will say, "Well done my good and faithful servant," and you will have reaped a great harvest.


In a nutshell Proverbs 10:4 warns you that if you are lazy you will live in poverty. Work diligently and you will be wealthy. If you work hard and sow good seeds then you should expect an abundant life. The proverb applies to not only your career but applies also in school, at home, and in your spiritual life. Harriet Braniker said, "Striving for excellence motivates you…" You should always strive for excellence in everything you do. Colossians 3:17 reads, "And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him."