1. Consider just one of the Bible’s many admonitions against laziness – Proverbs 6:6-11.

I. Characteristics of a sluggard

A. In his relationship to self.

1. Loves sleep.

a. "As the door turneth upon his hinges, so doth the slothful upon his bed" (Proverbs 26:14).

b. "Then I saw, and considered it well: I looked upon it, and received instruction. Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep: So shall thy poverty come as one that travelleth; and thy want as an armed man" (Proverbs 24:32-34).

2. Makes excuses for his failure to work.

a. Too cold – "The sluggard will not plow by reason of the cold; therefore shall he beg in harvest, and have nothing" (Proverbs 20:4).

b. Too dangerous – "The slothful man saith, There is a lion without, I shall be slain in the streets" (Proverbs 22:13).

c. Too anything – "He that observeth the wind shall not sow; and he that regardeth the clouds shall not reap" (Ecclesiastes 11:4).

3. Fails to complete a task.

a. "The slothful man roasteth not that which he took in hunting: but the substance of a diligent man is precious" (Proverbs 12:27).

4. Constantly frustrated.

a. "The desire of the slothful killeth him; for his hands refuse to labour. He coveteth greedily all the day long: but the righteous giveth and spareth not" (Proverbs 21:25-26).

B. In his relationship with others.

1. Talks about what he will do.

a. "In all labour there is profit: but the talk of the lips tendeth only to penury" (Proverbs 14:23).

2. Always full of advice.

a. "The sluggard is wiser in his own conceit than seven men that can render a reason" (Proverbs 26:16).

II. Consequences of being a sluggard.

A. Physical/material consequences.

1. Causes poverty

a. "He that tilleth his land shall be satisfied with bread: but he that followeth vain persons is void of understanding" (Proverbs 12:11).

b. "I went by the field of the slothful, and by the vineyard of the man void of understanding; And, lo, it was all grown over with thorns, and nettles had covered the face thereof, and the stone wall thereof was broken down. Then I saw, and considered it well: I looked upon it, and received instruction. Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep:" (Proverbs 24:30-34).

2. Brings about loss of independence

a. "The hand of the diligent shall bear rule: but the slothful shall be under tribute" (Proverbs 12:24).

3. Difficulties with employer.

a. "As vinegar to the teeth, and as smoke to the eyes, so is the sluggard to them that send him" (Proverbs10:26).

B. Spiritual consequences.

1. Robs us of our souls. Just as a physical building requires maintenance, so does a person’s soul.

a. "And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity. For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins. Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall:" (II Peter 1:5-10).

2. Our slothfulness prevents others from hearing the gospel.

a. "And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen" (Matthew 28:18-20).

1. Someone has said, "Aspiration points us to the proper goal but it is perspiration that gets us there."