Original Author: Rizwi Amith

He who is slothful in his work, is a brother to… a great destroyer. – Proverbs 18:9 NKJV

God’s interested in what you do for work; He’s also interested in how you do it. The truth is, your prospects for the future are determined by your work ethic. For the next few days let’s look at some work habits from the book of Proverbs to avoid or acquire if you want God’s blessing.

Laziness.

“I went past the field of the sluggard… the ground was covered with weeds, and the stone wall was in ruins… I… learned a lesson… A little sleep… folding of the hands… and poverty will come on you like a bandit” (Pr 24:30-34 NIV). Laziness produces lack just as surely as a thief will rob you. The Bible says lazy people are:

Procrastinators.

“A little sleep… folding of the hands.” They say, “I’ll do it tomorrow,” but tomorrow never comes.

Expensive to maintain.

“He who is slothful in his work is a brother to… a great destroyer.” They complain, cut corners, cripple businesses and cause hardship.

Quitters.

They quit before the job’s finished. “The lazy man does not roast his game” (Pr 12:27 NIV). He hunts the deer but he won’t clean it. Unfinished projects fill his life: half-built cupboards, half-painted rooms, half-tidied garages. Sound familiar?

Masters of excuses.

“The sluggard says, ‘There is a lion outside!’ or, ‘I will be murdered in the streets!’” (Pr 22:13 NIV). When he runs out of credible excuses he goes for ridiculous ones. He “will not plow because of winter” (Pr 20:4 NKJV). “You want me to get sick going to work in this weather?” Or if it’s warm, “It’s way too nice for work!” Whatever your work, do it conscientiously. Don’t let laziness rob you of success.