Proverbs makes it clear that diligence—being willing to work hard and do one’s best at any job given to him or her—is a vital part of wise living. We work hard, not to become rich, famous, or admired (although those may be by-products), but to serve God with our very best during our lives.
The Diligent
The Lazy
Reference
Become rich
Are soon poor
Gather their crops
Sleep during harvest
Are an annoyance
Have plenty of food
Have no sense
Gain many rewards
Will become leaders
Will become slaves
Make good use of resources
Waste good resources
Will prosper
Want much but get little
Bring profit
Experience poverty
Path is open
Path is blocked
Are like those who destroy
Go hungry
Won’t feed themselves
Won’t plow in season
Stay awake and have food to spare
Love sleep and grow poor
Make careful plans
Make hasty shortcuts
Love to give
Desire things but refuse to work for them
Are full of excuses for not working
Will serve before kings
Sleep too much, which leads to poverty
Reap abundance through hard work
Experience poverty because of laziness