The slacker craves yet has nothing, but the diligent is fully satisfied. Proverbs 13:4 HCSB
I recently watched a television show on one of the news networks in which the show host was interviewing a person who had been receiving unemployment checks from the government for a year an half. The show host asked the person, “Why don’t you get a job?”, to which he responded, “I want to pursue my dream of becoming a musician in a band”. Pressing further, the show host asked, “If you were offered a job making $80,000 a year would you take it?”, to which he responded, “No”. This person might be described as a slacker who seemingly wanted hard-working tax payers to pay his salary so he could pursue his dream. A diligent person would work hard to earn the necessary funds to pursue his dream.
The writer of this proverb reminds us that even in Old Testament times there were people who were slackers. A slacker is someone who perhaps has a burning desire but is unwilling to exert the energy to accomplish his goal. In contrast, the person who is diligent is willing to labor and work hard. The diligent person does not like idleness or get-rich-quick schemes. There is a sense of satisfaction when one works hard and accomplishes his goal.
Challenge: Don’t be a slacker. If you are physically and mentally able, work hard and earn the money needed to support you and your family. God is pleased when one works hard and uses his God-given talents to earn a living and to help others.