Reading the Word

Proverbs 26:14–15 (ESV)
14 As a door turns on its hinges, so does a sluggard on his bed.
15 The sluggard buries his hand in the dish; it wears him out to bring it back to his mouth.

Understanding and Applying the Word

These verses are pretty vivid images of what it looks like to be a sluggard. The sluggard, or lazy person, is one who lays around all day. He is one who is like a door turning back and forth on its hinges, but instead, the lazy person turns back and forth on his bed. He is so lazy that even eating is too much effort. He puts his hand down to pick up the food, but it is too much effort to lift the food to his mouth. That is lazy!

These descriptions may seem like hyperbole, but they make us think. How many people simply will not make the effort to do the work that is necessary to provide for their own needs? Instead, they look to cut corners, avoid work, or make excuses. I am not saying this applies to every person, but it surely applies to some. It probably even applies to me at times. Laziness is not a new thing unique to our advanced society. It has been around since the beginning, even when life was much harder. But it is unwise in any age as we only harm ourselves by being this way.

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