Diligence Brings Blessing

Proverbs 20:4
"4 The lazy man will not plow because of winter;
He will beg during harvest and have nothing."

It is a sin to be lazy, we must ask God to make us diligent, that our witness not be maligned in the eyes of those who are watching.

Those who are lazy in their job, will also be lazy in their spiritual life. Laziness is a mentality, that is not compartmentalized to a particular area, it is a spiritual soul problem.

Proverbs 13:4
"4 The soul of the sluggard craves and gets nothing,
But the soul of the diligent is made fat."

Proverbs 10:4
"4 Poor is he who works with a negligent hand,
But the hand of the diligent makes rich."

Galatians 6:9
"9 Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary."

2 Peter 3:14
"14 Therefore, beloved, since you look for these things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace, spotless and blameless,"

Ecclesiastes 9:10
"10 Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might; for there is no activity or planning or knowledge or wisdom in Sheol where you are going."

Colossians 3:23
"23 Whatever you do, do your work [a]heartily, as for the Lord [b]rather than for men,"

Romans 6:12
"12 Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its lusts,"

We forget that laziness is sin, we also forget sometimes that working hard, accomplishing a task is much more fulfilling than entertainment. God has placed in our being a need and desire to accomplish physical tasks. We are fulfilled by them, they satisfy.

Psalm 128:2 "When you shall eat of the fruit of your hands, You will be happy and it will be well with you."

When pleasure is pursued, then there is never enough, only more pleasure continually will give temporary happiness.

When we sit down from our labors and look back at the accomplishment, only then can we feel at rest, we delight in our work.

Ecclesiastes 5:18-20
"18 Here is what I have seen: It is good and fitting for one to eat and drink, and to enjoy the good of all his labor in which he toils under the sun all the days of his life which God gives him; for it is his heritage.

19 As for every man to whom God has given riches and wealth, and given him power to eat of it, to receive his heritage and rejoice in his labor—this is the gift of God.

20 For he will not dwell unduly on the days of his life, because God keeps him busy with the joy of his heart."