In the third week of our “By God’s Design” series, we explored Proverbs 6:6-11 and the lesson of “The Sluggard.” The Big Idea is simple yet profound: God’s plan is for His people to work hard with joy.
God’s design for work is not something we “have to” do; it’s something we “get to” do because we are made in His image. God is a God who, in creation, got dirt under His fingernails. Just as He is a worker, so too are we, and we will continue to work even in eternity. But when we fail to see work as a gift from God—tied to our identity as His children—we can develop a negative attitude toward it. For some, this attitude manifests in overwork, treating work as an idol. But today, we’re looking at another extreme: sloth and laziness.
The Sluggard vs. The Ant
Proverbs 6 paints a vivid picture of the sluggard, a character who is lazy and slow, preferring to lie in bed and make excuses. The sluggard is always saying, “Just a little more sleep, just a little more rest.” This kind of laziness leads to poverty—both physical and spiritual.
In contrast, the Bible urges us to look at the ant. The ant is diligent, hardworking, and self-motivated. It doesn’t need a boss to tell it to work. The ant works because it is an ant—operating in accordance with how it’s been created. It prepares its food in the summer and gathers its harvest. The ant doesn’t cut corners or delay its tasks. Instead, it works tirelessly, embodying the exact opposite of the sluggard.
Proverbs warns that lazy hands make a poor man. The sluggard shouldn’t be surprised when poverty comes “like a robber” or “an armed man.” The principle here is that laziness brings about lack, while diligence leads to provision and flourishing.
Value Work and Embrace God’s Design
The application here is that we need to value work. It’s not just about earning a paycheck; work is a part of God’s design. In Genesis 2:15, we see that work is a pre-fall blessing, not a post-fall curse. God gave us work before sin entered the world because it’s part of what it means to be human.
When we refuse to work, we are not only rejecting the provision that comes from it; we are also rejecting part of our created purpose. God accomplishes His plans for the world through our labor. Farmers grow food, truck drivers transport it, and doctors keep us healthy—all forms of work that align with God’s plan for His creation.
The Gospel and Our Work
At the heart of this message is the gospel. Just as we might be lazy in our work, we can also be sluggish toward God, not living out the mission He’s given us. But here’s the good news: On the cross, Jesus Christ, the diligent, died for the sin of the sluggard. We deserved the poverty of eternal separation from God, but Jesus took that upon Himself, making us rich in Him.
Because of this, we are invited to live in His design and find joy in our work. Whether we are students, parents, professionals, or retirees, there is purpose in every stage of life. As believers, we are called to work hard with joy, knowing that Jesus has paid the price for our laziness and offers us a new life in Him.
Conclusion: Heed the Warning
As we reflect on this passage, let’s examine our lives. Are there areas where we are sluggish? Are we cutting corners at work, in our relationships, or in our spiritual walk? Whether we are prone to laziness in our careers, health, or family life, this passage serves as a warning: Sluggards shouldn’t be surprised when they wind up in poverty.
But, praise God, there is hope! God has designed us to work for His glory, and by the power of the gospel, we can pursue that design with renewed energy. So, let’s take joy in our work, whatever it may be, and glorify God through it.
-Andrew Hopper, Lead Pastor
Watch the full sermon from week two of our “By God’s Design” series below:
Additional Resources on God’s Design for Work
Every Good Endeavor by Timothy Keller
This book by Timothy Keller provides a more in-depth look into God’s wisdom regarding our view of work.
