In the Book of Proverbs, the term "sluggard" occurs six times. Simply put, a "sluggard" is a lazy, good for nothing slacker. The slacker has always been irritating to those who work hard, pulling their own weight. "As vinegar to the teeth, and as smoke to the eyes, so is the sluggard to them that send him" (Pr. 10:26). Though the "sluggard" in Proverbs is the physically lazy person, there is a much more serious type of "sluggard"-the spiritual slacker! This slacker may be hard working when it comes to physical labor. He may work diligently from dusk to dawn to earn a living and support his family, but when it comes to spiritual labor and the spiritual support of his family, he is a slacker. Let us examine two principles common to both physical and spiritual slackers.

First, the slacker's disinterest in work leads to poverty. "How long wilt thou sleep, O sluggard? when wilt thou arise out of thy sleep? 10Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep: 11So shall thy poverty come as one that travelleth, and thy want as an armed man" (Pr. 6:9-11). The application to physical labor is obvious. Consider also the spiritual slacker: his spiritual sleep will result in eternal poverty (1 Thes. 5:6-7; Rom. 13:11).

Second, the slacker's trivial excuses as to why he cannot work will result in his having nothing at harvest time. "The sluggard will not plow by reason of the cold; therefore shall he beg in harvest, and have nothing" (Pr. 20:4). The excuse as to why this physical slacker cannot plow the field is because it is too cold (poor little baby...boo, hoo, hoo!). When the fields are not plowed, the seed is not sown, and there can be no harvest. Consider also the spiritual slacker: he will use any little excuse for not doing the work of the Lord-"I'm too tired;" "Brother so and so offended me;" "The Bible class teacher is too hard;" etc. (poor little baby...boo, hoo, hoo!). The tragedy of it all, however, is that the spiritual slacker will receive nothing at the last great harvest, except eternal separation from God (Mt. 25:31-46; Jn. 5:28-29; 2 Thes. 1:8-9).

We are to be workers in the Lord (Eph. 2:10). We must not spiritually sleep our lives away, using every little excuse as to why we cannot serve the Lord. Instead, let us renew our commitment to God and work for Him.