Slack Leads to Lack – Proverbs in Practice

Have you ever, former procrastinators, run out of eggs or milk or some other vital ingredient just when you needed it?  It’s run to the neighbors, drive to the store, do without, or scrap your plan.  No good options. “Augh! Why did I let that happen?”  This is a small illustration of what it can mean to experience our set of proverbs for April.

“A slack hand causes poverty, but the hand of the diligent makes rich.”   Proverbs 10:4.

Or, in NIV, “Lazy hands make for poverty but diligent hands bring wealth.”

Obviously, we can apply this to money.  The person who works receives payment; the person who does not work receives none.  The person who sets aside savings on a regular basis accumulates a nest egg.  He has funds he can use for an emergency, pleasure, extra giving.  The person who does not save finds himself in a tight spot or loses out on unexpected opportunities.

Then there’s bill paying.  The one who faithfully meets that obligation establishes a good reputation.  The one who lets bills become overdue acquires an unfavorable name.

Remember, slack is not using diligence, care, or completing promptly.  It’s negligence.  Poverty is lacking, being deficient in something needed.  So, we have “slack leads to lack.”  Let’s check out some other arenas to alert our thinking.

• “If I’d done some research, I’d have made a better decision.”
• Failing to express gratitude can leave a sour taste with others.  (Writing a thank you note after a business or other interaction shows thoughtfulness.)
• Not taking initiative to get together with my friend can contribute to a fading friendship.
• Neglecting to help children understand characteristics to look for in friends or a mate can lead to years of heartache.
• Avoiding decluttering costs freedom, space, time, and energy.
• Telling myself “It doesn’t matter” about the extra pie leads to more weight.

“It doesn’t matter” is often a slack trap because we’re quick to justify what feels good when paying attention would bring better results.

Two stories come to mind. When he was young, we required our son to wear a sport coat and tie to church twice a month, whenever he chose.  It wasn’t “necessary” but we foresaw the need to be relaxed in a coat and tie, not uncomfortable and self-conscious. The practice paid off. If we’d let that go “until it was necessary,” he’d have come up lacking in confidence and ease when he needed to concentrate on a job, not his clothes.

In school, a young man grumped about grammar expectations.  Later, when interviewing for a job, he had to demonstrate his email abilities.  He sailed through the exercise, partly because of good English and communication skills. That helped him get the job.

Paying attention helps us be diligent and benefit.

In what area do you need to pay more attention to doing something or to how you do it?