Are people lazier today than they were in times past? Are certain cultures or countries lazier than others? We might feel inclined to answer “yes” regarding our American culture, particularly with the widespread use of technology in homes and schools. But whatever the answers may be, laziness is possible in every culture and time period and the Book of Proverbs addresses it.

The sluggard is mentioned fourteen times in Proverbs (ESV). He loves to lie down in comfy places for extended periods of time (How long will you lie there, O sluggard? (Prov. 6:9; 26:14)), and creates excuses not to work (There is a lion outside! (Prov. 22:13; 26:13)). Even when the sluggard does set out to work he is burdensome (Like vinegar to the teeth and smoke to the eyes, so is the sluggard to those who send him (Prov. 10:26)). Preparation is not in the sluggards vocabulary and he will pay for it later (The sluggard does not plow in the autumn; he will seek at harvest and have nothing (Prov. 20:4)).

This kind of laziness is no laughing matter. Proverbs takes these actions seriously as the sluggard will end up in a place with no food (The soul of the sluggard craves and gets nothing (Prov. 13:4)) and even dead from such inaction (The desire of the sluggard kills him, for his hands refuse to labor (Prov. 21:25)).

What shall we do with the sluggard’s struggle? Proverbs offers several applications.

• Give the sluggard a model (Go to the ant, O sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise (Prov. 6:6)). Leaving laziness can be inspired from solid external models—even the animal kingdom can be helpful.
• Point out the rough path they are choosing to take (The way of a sluggard is like a hedge of thorns, but the path of the upright is a level highway (Prov. 15:19)). The path of laziness will be felt—painfully felt—along ones journey, but it doesn’t have to be that way.
• Get the sluggard around other sensible people. He thinks himself so wise, but real wisdom is needed and available among God’s people (The sluggard is wiser in his own eyes than seven men who can answer sensibly (Prov. 26:16)).
• Remind him of the lazy man’s destination—self-destruction (The desire of the sluggard kills him, for his hands refuse to labor (Prov. 21:25)).

Proverbs focuses on the physical side of laziness. But is there a spiritual side too? Most definitely. One can be rigorous in physical labor yet spiritually lazy. A spiritual sluggard will have their own unique set of struggles. Scriptures, prayers, and praises will be too heavy to lift or not interesting enough. But as grass withers without water, so will be the soul of the spiritual sluggard.

Christians are called to abide in the Master Jesus (John 15:5). Here we live by faith because of His good grace to us. Moreover, we continue to grow here because of His grace and truth (2 Pet. 3:18). We cannot afford to be spiritually lazy Christians who don’t pray, read, praise, study, and commune with others at church. These practices are essential to our daily lives. The physical tone of the sluggard in Proverbs is inspirational for us not to be a spiritual sluggard in practice.

What is the answer for the sluggard? It is the ongoing grace of Christ Jesus. He gives life, directs life, sustains life, and saves our life. Are you a spiritual sluggard? Look to Jesus! Look to His grace on the cross; His grace poured out in the grave; His grace exploding from the grave; His grace residing at the right hand of the Father, and His grace to help us in our time of need (Heb. 4:16). Paul states it well, “Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, [and] serve the Lord” (Rom. 12:11).