## Men of Proverbs: Slothful Man vs. Diligent Man

The slothful man's characteristics make him unpleasant company. Christians who are slothful are a very bad testimony for their Saviour.

Dictionary 'SLOTHFUL": Inactive; sluggish; lazy; idle.

Hebrew 'SLOTHFUL': Indolent - slothful, sluggard; to lean idly

I. Actions of the Slothful Man.

A. Makes Excuses.

1. “The slothful man saith, There is a lion without, I shall be slain in the streets.” (Prov 22:13)

2. “The slothful man saith, There is a lion in the way; a lion is in the streets.” (Prov 26:13)

3. “The sluggard will not plow by reason of the cold; therefore shall he beg in harvest, and have nothing.” (Prov 20:4)

4. “The sluggard is wiser in his own conceit than seven men that can render a reason.” (Prov 26:16)

B.Sleeps.

1.“Slothfulness casteth into a deep sleep; and an idle soul shall suffer hunger.” (Prov 19:15)

2. “As the door turneth upon his hinges, so doth the slothful upon his bed.” (Prov 26:14)

3. “How long wilt thou sleep, O sluggard? when wilt thou arise out of thy sleep?” (Prov 6:9)

4. “Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep:” (Prov 6:10)

5. “So shall thy poverty come as one that travelleth, and thy want as an armed man.” (Prov 6:11)

II. Characteristics of the Slothful Man.

A. Is Wasteful.

1. “The slothful man roasteth not that which he took in hunting: but the substance of a diligent man is precious.” (Prov 12:27)

2. “He also that is slothful in his work is brother to him that is a great waster.” (Prov 18:9)

B. Is Lazy.

1. “A slothful man hideth his hand in his bosom, and will not so much as bring it to his mouth again.” (Prov 19:24)

2. “The slothful hideth his hand in his bosom; it grieveth him to bring it again to his mouth.” (Prov 26:15)

C. Will Not Work.

1. “The desire of the slothful killeth him; for his hands refuse to labour.” (Prov 21:25)

2. “I went by the field of the slothful, and by the vineyard of the man void of understanding;” (Prov 24:30)

3. “And, lo, it was all grown over with thorns, and nettles had covered the face thereof, and the stone wall thereof was broken down.” (Prov 24:31)

III. Consequences of the Slothful Man.

A. Is Burdened.

1. “The hand of the diligent shall bear rule: but the slothful shall be under tribute.” (Prov 12:24)

2. 'Tribute' = a burden

B. Has Problems and Trouble.

“The way of the slothful man is as an hedge of thorns: but the way of the righteous is made plain.” (Prov 15:19)

C. Becomes Poor.

1. “The soul of the sluggard desireth, and hath nothing: but the soul of the diligent shall be made fat.” (Prov 13:4)

2. “The sluggard will not plow by reason of the cold; therefore shall he beg in harvest, and have nothing.” (Prov 20:4)

3. “I went by the field of the slothful, and by the vineyard of the man void of under standing;” (Prov 24:30)

4. “So shall thy poverty come as one that travelleth; and thy want as an armed man.” (Prov 24:34)

Dictionary: 'DILIGENT': Constant in effort or exertion to accomplish what is undertaken; industrious.

Hebrew: 'DILIGENT': Incised, incisive; determination, eager - decision; to point sharply.

I. Actions of the Diligent Man.

A. Works Hard

1. “He becometh poor that dealeth with a slack hand: but the hand of the diligent maketh rich.” (Prov 10:4)

2. "Slack"= remissness, idle, slothful

B. Is Prepared.

1. “Seest thou a man diligent in his business? he shall stand before kings; he shall not stand before mean men.” (Prov 22:29)

2. “Be thou diligent to know the state of thy flocks, and look well to thy herds.” (Prov 27:23)

3. "diligent" - quick, skillful, ready.

II. Characteristics of the Diligent Man

A. Is Not wasteful

“The thoughts of the diligent tend only to plenteousness; but of every one that is hasty only to want.” (Prov 21:5)

B. Plans Things Out

“The thoughts of the diligent tend only to plenteousness; but of every one that is hasty only to want.” (Prov 21:5)

III. Consequences of the Diligent Man.

A. Has Riches.

“He becometh poor that dealeth with a slack hand: but the hand of the diligent maketh rich.” (Prov 10:4)

B. Is Satisfied.

1. “The soul of the sluggard desireth, and hath nothing: but the soul of the diligent shall be made fat.” (Prov 13:4)

2. 'soul' = breathing creature.

3. 'fat' = to be fat (figurative) to satisfy.

C. Has Plenty

“The thoughts of the diligent tend only to plenteousness; but of every one that is hasty only to want.” (Prov 21:5)

D. Is In A Place of Authority

“The hand of the diligent shall bear rule: but the slothful shall be under tribute.” (Prov 12:24)