The slothful man's characteristics make him unpleasant company. Christians who are slothful are a very bad testimony for their Saviour.
Dictionary 'SLOTHFUL": Inactive; sluggish; lazy; idle.
Hebrew 'SLOTHFUL': Indolent - slothful, sluggard; to lean idly
I. Actions of the Slothful Man.
A. Makes Excuses.
1. “The slothful man saith, There is a lion without, I shall be slain in the streets.” (Prov 22:13)
2. “The slothful man saith, There is a lion in the way; a lion is in the streets.” (Prov 26:13)
3. “The sluggard will not plow by reason of the cold; therefore shall he beg in harvest, and have nothing.” (Prov 20:4)
4. “The sluggard is wiser in his own conceit than seven men that can render a reason.” (Prov 26:16)
B.Sleeps.
1.“Slothfulness casteth into a deep sleep; and an idle soul shall suffer hunger.” (Prov 19:15)
2. “As the door turneth upon his hinges, so doth the slothful upon his bed.” (Prov 26:14)
3. “How long wilt thou sleep, O sluggard? when wilt thou arise out of thy sleep?” (Prov 6:9)
4. “Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep:” (Prov 6:10)
5. “So shall thy poverty come as one that travelleth, and thy want as an armed man.” (Prov 6:11)
II. Characteristics of the Slothful Man.
A. Is Wasteful.
1. “The slothful man roasteth not that which he took in hunting: but the substance of a diligent man is precious.” (Prov 12:27)
2. “He also that is slothful in his work is brother to him that is a great waster.” (Prov 18:9)
B. Is Lazy.
1. “A slothful man hideth his hand in his bosom, and will not so much as bring it to his mouth again.” (Prov 19:24)
2. “The slothful hideth his hand in his bosom; it grieveth him to bring it again to his mouth.” (Prov 26:15)
C. Will Not Work.
1. “The desire of the slothful killeth him; for his hands refuse to labour.” (Prov 21:25)
2. “I went by the field of the slothful, and by the vineyard of the man void of understanding;” (Prov 24:30)
3. “And, lo, it was all grown over with thorns, and nettles had covered the face thereof, and the stone wall thereof was broken down.” (Prov 24:31)
III. Consequences of the Slothful Man.
A. Is Burdened.
1. “The hand of the diligent shall bear rule: but the slothful shall be under tribute.” (Prov 12:24)
2. 'Tribute' = a burden
B. Has Problems and Trouble.
“The way of the slothful man is as an hedge of thorns: but the way of the righteous is made plain.” (Prov 15:19)
C. Becomes Poor.
1. “The soul of the sluggard desireth, and hath nothing: but the soul of the diligent shall be made fat.” (Prov 13:4)
2. “The sluggard will not plow by reason of the cold; therefore shall he beg in harvest, and have nothing.” (Prov 20:4)
3. “I went by the field of the slothful, and by the vineyard of the man void of under standing;” (Prov 24:30)
4. “So shall thy poverty come as one that travelleth; and thy want as an armed man.” (Prov 24:34)
Dictionary: 'DILIGENT': Constant in effort or exertion to accomplish what is undertaken; industrious.
Hebrew: 'DILIGENT': Incised, incisive; determination, eager - decision; to point sharply.
I. Actions of the Diligent Man.
A. Works Hard
1. “He becometh poor that dealeth with a slack hand: but the hand of the diligent maketh rich.” (Prov 10:4)
2. "Slack"= remissness, idle, slothful
B. Is Prepared.
1. “Seest thou a man diligent in his business? he shall stand before kings; he shall not stand before mean men.” (Prov 22:29)
2. “Be thou diligent to know the state of thy flocks, and look well to thy herds.” (Prov 27:23)
3. "diligent" - quick, skillful, ready.
II. Characteristics of the Diligent Man
A. Is Not wasteful
“The thoughts of the diligent tend only to plenteousness; but of every one that is hasty only to want.” (Prov 21:5)
B. Plans Things Out
“The thoughts of the diligent tend only to plenteousness; but of every one that is hasty only to want.” (Prov 21:5)
III. Consequences of the Diligent Man.
A. Has Riches.
“He becometh poor that dealeth with a slack hand: but the hand of the diligent maketh rich.” (Prov 10:4)
B. Is Satisfied.
1. “The soul of the sluggard desireth, and hath nothing: but the soul of the diligent shall be made fat.” (Prov 13:4)
2. 'soul' = breathing creature.
3. 'fat' = to be fat (figurative) to satisfy.
C. Has Plenty
“The thoughts of the diligent tend only to plenteousness; but of every one that is hasty only to want.” (Prov 21:5)
D. Is In A Place of Authority
“The hand of the diligent shall bear rule: but the slothful shall be under tribute.” (Prov 12:24)