Read: Proverbs 24:30-34

A little sleep, a little slumber,
a little folding of the hands to
rest; so shall your poverty come
like a prowler. -Proverbs 24:33-34

In the late 1980s, I witnessed a carefully planned bombing raid. I remember watching as the planes methodically worked the Florida skies in a attempt to wipe out the enemy. In this case, however, the enemy was not human. It was a creature known as the fire ant - little in size but causing a major problem. The planes were spreading a pesticide aimed at ridding the South of this invader.

Just as big efforts were required to stamp out the little fire ant, so we must seriously tackle what may seem to be a little problem - laziness. The author of the book of Proverbs speaks of the sad results of "a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest" (Prov. 24:33).

Anyone who is inclined to be lazy knows that a big effort is needed to combat it. If we don't attack it, poverty (both spiritual and physical) will come "like a prowler" (v.34).

So what can be done about laziness? You can begin by evaluating how you spend your time. If you discover that you are wasting it, you need to develop a strategy to combat the problem. Tackle those small tasks now. Keep on working diligently and those little jobs won't turn into big problems. You'll soon realize how much better it is to succeed than to slumber. -Martin R. De Haan II

Don't put off until tomorrow
What you can achieve today;
Working hard until you're finished
Will keep poverty away. -Sper

THE LESS WE DO TODAY,
THE MORE WE HAVE TO DO TOMORROW.

OUR DAILY BREAD, Copyright 1999 by Radio Bible Class, Grand Rapids,Michigan. Used by permission.