Articles
Passing By The Field Of The Sluggard
“I passed by the field of the sluggard, and by the vineyard of the man lacking sense; And behold, it was completely overgrown with thistles, its surface was covered with nettles, and its stone wall was broken down. When I saw, I reflected on it; I looked, and received instruction. ‘A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest,’ Then your poverty will come as a robber, and your want like an armed man” (Proverbs 24:30-34).
“I passed by the field of the sluggard” – Now we get to catch a glimpse into the life of the sluggard. What does his home life look like? What about his work space? Or his yard? Or his finances? In their ignorance, sluggards often forget that their lives are on display for the world to see, especially now, in an age when information is so accessible. Scan the cable channels and you will find them flooded with reality shows parading the lives of everybody from hoarders to housewives, from teen mothers to polygamists. It is easier than ever to “pass by the field” of almost any kind of lifestyle.
“Completely overgrown” – There is no hiding it! Within plain view of every passerby is a life completely choked by weeds, littered with failed and neglected projects or hobbies, half-heartedly set aside for care that never seems to materialize. “Through indolence the rafters sag, and through slackness the house leaks” (Ecclesiastes 10:18). Sadly, every overgrown flower bed and ramshackle home begins with just a single project being neglected, a single weed. Without diligence, one leak or broken piece of siding quietly turns into a dozen. The same is true of many self-inflicted conditions: finances, failing marriage, disciplinary issues with our children, faltering attendance at church. It all starts with small compromises.
“When I saw, I reflected…I received instruction” – The sluggard’s life becomes a cautionary tail for all those observing his self-implosion. We also learn that many of our most powerful lessons can come from observing people around us. If you are seeking a wise, productive life, do not waste the opportunity to learn a thing or two from those who have made poor choices. Perhaps having a greater understanding of the sluggard can help us not only keep ourselves on God’s path, but also create opportunities for us to help those whose indolence has put them in an unfortunate position. After all, the goal is not to judge the sluggard and make a spectacle out of his disastrous life. No! The goal is to live and teach godly principles and help others escape from the spiritual traps all around us.
