God wants us to work hard so that we can participate in his missions. We can see that God has been using those who are actively engaged in work from the very beginning. When Moses was tending to the animals, God called. When Abraham was preoccupied with his labour, God called.
A lazy person will never hear from God. Thus, it is important for us to put in a lot of effort because doing so will bless us. We procrastinate and delay our work frequently because we are lazy, yet being diligent requires us to change this mentality.
The following verses from the Bible will assist us in overcoming the habits of procrastination and laziness that lead to poverty. Let’s read them and reflect on them to feel God’s presence and direction in our life.
Proverbs 20:4 The sluggard will not plow by reason of the cold; therefore shall he beg in harvest, and have nothing.
Proverbs 13:4 The soul of the sluggard desireth, and hath nothing: but the soul of the diligent shall be made fat.
Proverbs 12:24 The hand of the diligent shall bear rule: but the slothful shall be under tribute.
Colossians 3:23 And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men;
Proverbs 14:23 In all labour there is profit: but the talk of the lips tendeth only to penury.
James 4:17 Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.
1 Timothy 5:8 But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel.
Ecclesiastes 9:10 Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest.
Proverbs 19:15 Slothfulness casteth into a deep sleep; and an idle soul shall suffer hunger.
Proverbs 18:9 He also that is slothful in his work is brother to him that is a great waster.
Proverbs 10:4 He becometh poor that dealeth with a slack hand: but the hand of the diligent maketh rich.
Proverbs 22:13 The slothful man saith, There is a lion without, I shall be slain in the streets.
Proverbs 20:13 Love not sleep, lest thou come to poverty; open thine eyes, and thou shalt be satisfied with bread.
2 Thessalonians 3:10 For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat.
Luke 16:10 He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much: and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much.
Proverbs 21:25 The desire of the slothful killeth him; for his hands refuse to labour.
Proverbs 15:19 The way of the slothful man is as an hedge of thorns: but the way of the righteous is made plain.
Proverbs 12:11 He that tilleth his land shall be satisfied with bread: but he that followeth vain persons is void of understanding.
Proverbs 10:5 He that gathereth in summer is a wise son: but he that sleepeth in harvest is a son that causeth shame.
Proverbs 6:6 Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise:
James 1:22 But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.
Hebrews 13:16 But to do good and to communicate forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.
Colossians 3:17 And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.
Ephesians 4:28 Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth.
1 Corinthians 10:31 Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.
Romans 12:11 Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord;
Luke 12:35 Let your loins be girded about, and your lights burning;
Jeremiah 48:10 Cursed be he that doeth the work of the Lord deceitfully, and cursed be he that keepeth back his sword from blood.
Ecclesiastes 11:4 He that observeth the wind shall not sow; and he that regardeth the clouds shall not reap.
Ecclesiastes 10:18 By much slothfulness the building decayeth; and through idleness of the hands the house droppeth through.
