TODAY IN THE WORD
There’s a funny cartoon about a “typical” workday: 8:00 - arrive and greet coworkers; 8:30 - sit at desk; 9:00 - make a photocopy and visit coworkers along the way; 9:30 - coffee break; 10:00 - return to desk; 10:30 - bathroom break; 11:00 - return to desk; 11:30 - call coworkers to confirm lunch plans; 11:45 - get ready for lunch; noon - leave for lunch. The afternoon schedule looks pretty much the same. Every office seems to have someone well-practiced in this routine.

Such a work ethic would be incomprehensible to an ant. An ant doesn’t need an office manager or supervisor to prod it along; it simply does whatever it takes to get the job done. An ant is internally motivated, unconcerned by its annual bonus or who might be watching it. What’s more, an ant is a long-range planner. With outside temperatures soaring, it prepares for the upcoming winter months. No wonder then, that the ant is described as the ideal worker.

Not so the sluggard, whose lack of planning leads to sudden poverty. Instead of setting aside money for unexpected needs and expenses, he’s spent it all!

From laziness, the focus shifts to corruption (v. 12). The reference to many parts of the body stresses the extent of this corruption. First, the scoundrel has a corrupt mouth, described elsewhere as deceptive or crooked speech (see Prov. 2). Next, this person somehow uses his eyes, feet, and fingers for wickedness. This could reference some type of magic or secret signals to an accomplice, indicating that this corrupt man is a cheater. In fact, we see that this man’s actions spring, unprovoked, from his corrupt heart, which is intent upon creating discord between people. His downward spiral finally leads to death (v. 15).

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TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Today’s teaching applies whether you are currently employed or not, for all of us “work,” whether at home, at school, or at a job. Take a minute to identify your own work situation. Now ask yourself if laziness or a tendency to cut corners has crept into your attitude toward work. Then review the list given in Proverbs 6:6-19. If you find room for improvement in any of these areas, thank the Lord that His Word prompts correction before it’s too late.

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