Avoidable Surprise  –  Proverbs in Practice

Here, former procrastinators, we have a vivid and sad picture.

“I passed by the field of a sluggard, by the vineyard of a man lacking sense, and behold, it was all overgrown with thorns; the ground was covered with nettles, and its stone wall was broken down.  Then I saw and considered it; I looked and received instruction.  A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest, and poverty will come upon you like a robber, and want like an armed man.”  Proverbs 24:30-34

Let’s glean all we can from these five verses:

• The sluggard has a field.  He is blessed with that.  He is in possession of what he needs to raise a crop.
• The sluggard lacks sense. KJV says he’s “void of understanding.”   Who else lacks sense?  A fool takes no pleasure in understanding (lacks sense).  (18:2) He despises wisdom, instruction, knowledge. (1:7,22) He openly displays his foolishness. (13:16)
• The sluggard neglected his work for a long time.  It takes a while for a field to become overgrown with thorns. The longer he left the field untended, the worse the problem became and the harder to overcome.
• The broken stone wall showed lack of regard for his property or its potential, for himself or his resources.  The sluggard allowed – then invited – invasive ruin. He did not protect or steward his field.
• The writer was alert to learn from what he saw.
• Repeated neglect of responsibility results in lack for the sluggard. He will be surprised by his state of poverty, frightened by consequences he did not expect, have no options, and will be at the mercy of others.   Like being held at gunpoint by an armed robber – surprise, fear, no options, at someone else’s mercy.

The sluggard shows no gratitude for the provision that is his.  He shows no respect for himself or for those who depend on him or who would benefit from his labors.  He demonstrates no stewardship of the responsibility that is his.  He and others suffer because he chooses not to work.

A couple needed to make decisions about their home.  Instead, they let the nettles grow.  They were warned to act while they had the ability to do so.  Otherwise, time and changing conditions would remove all options.  They’d be forced to do something they’d not like.  Delay would remove their power of choice.  It did. They were suddenly forced into circumstances they did not want, with no choice.

Let’s be like the writer and learn from what is written here.

What “field” in your possession is presently neglected and needs tending?