The People of Proverbs

Lesson Three:

The Sluggard

The most tragically humorous character in proverbs

Sluggard literally means “to be slow or hesitant”. Whatever the sluggard does is characterized by

incredible slowness.

Refers to more than lazinessIt is contrasted to “upright”Proverbs 15:19 (NET) The way of the sluggard is

like a hedge of thorns, but the path of the upright is like a highway.

Refers to more than lazinessIt is associated with the shiftless (lacking

resources and character: aimless, not dependable).

Proverbs 19:15 Laziness brings on a deep sleep, and the idle person will go hungry.

Refers to more than lazinessHe is associated with one who lacks judgment

(no discernment).Proverbs 24:30-31 30 I passed by the field of a

sluggard, by the vineyard of one who lacks wisdom. 31 I saw that thorns had grown up all over it, the ground was covered with weeds, and its stone wall was broken down.

I. His Internal CharacterA. He has no internal motivation

1. He will not begin things.Proverbs 6:6-11 6 Go to the ant, you sluggard; observe its ways and be wise! 7 It has no commander, overseer, or ruler, 8 yet it prepares its food in the summer; it gathers at the harvest what it will eat. 9 How long, you sluggard, will you lie there? When will you rise from your sleep? 10 A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to relax, 11 and your poverty will come like a robber, and your need like an armed man.

I. His Internal CharacterA. He has no internal motivation

1. He will not begin things.2. He will not finish things.Proverbs 19:24 The sluggard plunges his hand in the dish, and he will not even bring it back to his mouth!.

I. His Internal CharacterB. He has inward desires, but is helpless to fulfill

them.Proverbs 13:4 The appetite of the sluggard craves

but gets nothing, but the desire of the diligent will be abundantly satisfied.

– He is a dreamer (loves chance and lotteries)– Can’t satisfy his desires because he will not work

I. His Internal CharacterC. He lacks foresight and preparation.

Proverbs 20:4 The sluggard will not plow during the planting season, so at harvest time he looks for the crop but has nothing.– I want to be a professional athlete, but …– I want to be a doctor, but …– I want to own a house, but …

I. His Internal CharacterD. He has a restless unsatisfied desire.Proverbs 21:25-26 25 What the sluggard desires

will kill him, for his hands refuse to work. 26

All day long he craves greedily, but the righteous gives and does not hold back.

I. His Internal CharacterE. He is self-deceived.

1. He rationalizes his laziness.Proverbs 22:13 The sluggard says, “There is a lion outside! I will be killed in the middle of the streets!”

I. His Internal Character2. He thinks himself wise

Proverbs 26:16 The sluggard is wiser in his own estimation than seven people who respond with good sense.

II. How does he effect others?A. He is an irritation to others

Proverbs 10:26 Like vinegar to the teeth and like smoke to the eyes, so is the sluggard to those who send him.

Why? He fails to carry out his responsibilities.

II. How does he effect others?B. He is costly to others.

Proverbs 18:9 The one who is slack in his work is a brother to one who destroys.

Why? A poor, unfinished job differs little from a project hat someone demolished – both are valueless.

II. How does he effect others?C. He becomes dependent on others.

Proverbs 20:4 The sluggard will not plow during the planting season, so at harvest time he looks for the crop but has nothing.

Why? Because he has nothing he begs from others for sustenance.

III. What is the outcome of his life?A. Poverty

Proverbs 24:30-34 30 I passed by the field of a sluggard, by the vineyard of one who lacks wisdom. 31 I saw that thorns had grown up all over it, the ground was covered with weeds, and its stone wall was broken down. 32 When I saw this, I gave careful consideration to it; I received instruction from what I saw: 33 “A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to relax, 34 and your poverty will come like a bandit, and your need like an armed robber.”

III. What is the outcome of his life?B. Death

Proverbs 21:25 What the sluggard desires will kill him, for his hands refuse to work.

He will starve to deathHe won’t care for his health

IV. How can a sluggard be cured?A. Instruct them

1. Honor those that work and admonish the lazy1 Thessalonians 5:12-14 12 Now we ask you, brothers and sisters, to acknowledge those who labor among you and preside over you in the Lord and admonish you, 13 and to esteem them most highly in love because of their work. Be at peace among yourselves. 14 And we urge you, brothers and sisters, admonish the undisciplined, comfort the discouraged, help the weak, be patient toward all.

2 Thessalonians 3:7-14 (NET) 7 For you know yourselves how you must imitate us, because we did not behave without discipline among you, 8 and we did not eat anyone’s food without paying. Instead, in toil and drudgery we worked night and day in order not to burden any of you. 9 It was not because we do not have that right, but to give ourselves as an example for you to imitate. 10 For even when we were with you, we used to give you this command: “If anyone is not willing to work, neither should he eat.” 11 For we hear that some among you are living an undisciplined life, not doing their own work but meddling in the work of others. 12 Now such people we command and urge in the Lord Jesus Christ to work quietly and so provide their own food to eat. 13 But you, brothers and sisters, do not grow weary in doing what is right. 14 But if anyone does not obey our message through this letter, take note of him and do not associate closely with him, so that he may be ashamed.

IV. How can a sluggard be cured?A. Instruct them

2. through examples in natureProverbs 6:6 Go to the ant, you sluggard; observe its ways and be wise!

IV. How can a sluggard be cured?B. Let them pay the consequences of their

idleness.2 Thessalonians 3:10 For even when we were with you, we used to give you this command: “If anyone is not willing to work, neither should he eat.”

IV. How can a sluggard be cured?C. Some personal suggestions

1. Show them how – teach them how to do it.

IV. How can a sluggard be cured?C. Some personal suggestions

1. Show them how – teach them how to do it.2. Start with little chores and build gradually.

– Break big chores into small parts. Large chores may seem overwhelming.

IV. How can a sluggard be cured?C. Some personal suggestions

1. Show them how – teach them how to do it.2. Start with little chores and build gradually.3. Make the choir fun and add rewards.4. Show them what they have already accomplished.5. Take away distractions (TV, video games, etc.).6. Remove from environment that which promotes the ways

of a sluggard (lotteries, chance, get rich quick, etc.).

Lead them to the Savior.

“There’s very little difference among men, but it’s the little difference that makes the big difference.”