The Lazy Man is Evidenced by the State of His Affairs – (Proverbs 24:30-34)
Daily Proverbs
I went by the field of the lazy man, and by the vineyard of the man devoid of understanding; and there it was, all overgrown with thorns; Its surface was covered with nettles; Its stone wall was broken down. When I saw it, I considered it well; I looked on it and received instruction: A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest; so shall your poverty come like a prowler, and your need like an armed man.
Daily Bible Study
The heart of the lazy person is evidenced by the state of their affairs. Here the overgrown field of the lazy person bears testimony to the cause of their poverty. They were too lazy to provide for themselves and their family. Therefore the field of the lazy person is overgrown, unattended and unable to provide sustenance for themselves or their family. So too is the heart of those who claim to follow Christ and yet do not walk in His footsteps or precepts. These passages provide not only practical, but also a spiritual example for the Christian. The Christian faith is an active faith. Once saved by faith in Christ, God through the Holy Spirit begins a work in our hearts changing us from the inside out. This change is carried out by God and is meant to prepare us for service in God's kingdom. With our salvation, we receive a new spirit from God, one to replace our spirit which was dead in trespasses and sins.
God also sends us His Holy Spirit, who works hand in hand with our new spirit to carry out God's process of spiritual growth in us, which is called sanctification. And it's through the process of sanctification that we grow closer to Jesus and more effective for the kingdom of God. In addition, we have to understand that as Christians we are called to provide for both our family and to follow Christ, one does not preclude the other. As Jesus told us we are to take up our cross and follow Him. Which means every day we are to be following the guidance of the Holy Spirit as He guides us in our walk with the Lord. Moreover, this includes providing for ourselves and our families. We are to provide for their physical, emotional and spiritual needs. We are to be doing so daily in order to prevent the fields of our hearts from becoming overgrown with the cares of this world. We cannot become lazy in following Christ Jesus our Lord or the study of His word, to do so means our spiritual life will no longer produce anything meaningful for use in the kingdom of God.