A sluggard’s appetite is never filled, but the desires of the diligent are fully satisfied. (Proverbs 13:4 NIV)
Another word for sloth is lazy. Sloth means being unwilling to work or use energy. We were created in the image of God who created the universe in six days, and then rested on the seventh. Lazing around and getting rest is part of the rhythm of life, and so is industriousness and creativity. When Proverbs 13:4 says, "A sluggard’s appetite is never filled, but the desires of the diligent are fully satisfied." it implies a lazy person's appetite is never filled because they do not work to satisfy it.
Diligence, on the other hand, means both being interested and focused on achievements, and persevering without quitting when achievement is challenging. Diligence is about more than just getting something done. Diligence is interested in doing things right and keeping at them when they are difficult. It seems to me to be a sure sign of maturity that we press on and don't quit when we're tired or the project is taking forever.
Perhaps a word is in order to the side of diligence on steroids that gets into perfectionism. Perfectionism is a hard tyrant, and leaves one always feeling unworthy and less-than-perfect. That's not where God wants us to live. Instead, I believe God wants us to sense the pleasure of a job well done and the satisfaction of completing work that challenges us and brings out our best. When I think of diligence, I think of the slow, patient, loving attention of a craftsman making a beautiful piece of furniture.
The problem with sloth is its lack of production. Proverbs says a lot more about it:
The lazy do not roast any game, but the diligent feed on the riches of the hunt.
(Proverbs 13:27 NIV)
A sluggard buries his hand in the dish; he will not even bring it back to his mouth!
(Proverbs 19:24 NIV)
Sluggards do not plow in season; so at harvest time they look but find nothing.
(Proverbs 20:4 NIV)
Perhaps the most somber indictment on laziness is what the master said to his lazy servant who took the money his master entrusted to him and hid it in the ground in fear:
“His master replied, ‘You wicked, lazy servant! So you knew that I harvest where I have not sown and gather where I have not scattered seed? Well then, you should have put my money on deposit with the bankers, so that when I returned I would have received it back with interest. “‘So take the bag of gold from him and give it to the one who has ten bags. For whoever has will be given more, and they will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what they have will be taken from them. And throw that worthless servant outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’"
(Matthew 25:26-30 NIV)
The value of diligence is production. Work produces gain. Work produces money. I had a hard-working dad. He worked all day in the factory and then came home and worked around the house and yard and garden. He repaired things. His example became a shining light in my life. I had chores and received an allowance growing up. Then I got my first job, bussing tables at a Ponderosa Steak House. All of this taught me the direct relationship between work and money. Scripture affirms this relationship in affirming diligence:
Lazy hands make for poverty, but diligent hands bring wealth.
(Proverbs 10:4 NIV)
God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them. We want each of you to show this same diligence to the very end, so that what you hope for may be fully realized. We do not want you to become lazy, but to imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised.
(Hebrews 6:10-13 NIV)
Here is one crucial principle we must keep clear in our minds and hearts, lest we fall into the idolatry of seeking salvation by our own good works: We are saved by grace through faith, not by our good works.
For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith —and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast. (Ephesians 2:8-9 NIV)
The good news for us hard-working Americans is that God gives a rightful place for our good works. Ephesians 2:8-9 is followed immediately by Ephesians 2:10:
For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
Diligent work for the Kingdom of God demonstrates the faith that saves us from sin and death. They show the Savior alive in us. They demonstrate that we seek to honor Him with our living. Good works are an expression of our gratitude to our King!
John Wesley taught the Methodists that we are called by God to works of piety and works of mercy, both personally and publicly. Personal works of piety are acts of devotion, like prayer, searching the Scriptures and fasting. Public works of piety are acts of worship including public worship, Holy Communion and fellowship in the community of the church. Personal works of mercy are acts of compassion, like doing good to others, feeding the hungry and clothing people. Public works of mercy are acts of justice like voting for candidates who share our faith values and working to end slavery (in Wesley's time) and evils like abortion and trafficking in our time.
The Holy Spirit seeks to replace sloth with diligence in a believer's life as we grow deeper in grace. When we spend our strength to please our King, we receive His blessing:
“His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’"
(Matthew 25:21 NIV)
To God be the glory!
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