No slacking

DEVOTION

PROVERBS

NO SLACKING

Prov 18:9

9 One who is slack in his work is brother to one who destroys.

NIV

We are once again seeing a two-fold meaning or what could be seen in two areas of life. First in the arena of business and second in religious affairs. When we think of work and being slack in it, we are reminded of being told to do our work as onto the Lord.

Col 3:22-25

 23 Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, 24 since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.

NIV

Although it is true we receive compensation in the form of money for our work, there is far more things of importance at stake. First we have been told by God, being the offspring of Adam that we are to toil the ground, work all the days of our lives for our sustenance. Secondly, in being obedient to that command, we are then working for the Lord, not for men. Because of our working onto him, he gives us a reward far superior to any paycheck. Therefor the whole of the idea is to work to the best of our ability at all times. We are to give all we can to advance the cause of who employs us. Of course our ultimate employer is the Lord, as he is the who we are supposed to be working for. Whatever we do, give it all, leave nothing behind, and do not slack off for one minute. We can see in our place of work those who take longer breaks or lunch then they are allotted. This is a sign of disrespect to both their employer and fellow workers. We cannot ever allow that in our lives, we cannot slack off, we cannot give in to that kind of behavior. Those who are slackers are brothers to those who destroy. This has been seen as two people, but it is only the same person. When we slack off we destroy the reputation of God. That of course is only applicable if those we work with know we are believers, followers of Jesus. Now the second area this saying can apply to is in our service to the Lord, in the community of faith. Once again that command given in whatever we do, work at it with all our heart, applies to how we live and serve the Lord within the community of faith. Do we slack off, just attend church, not giving of ourselves to some ministry, some area of service? It is true we cannot do everything, but we must do that which we have been not only called to do, but gifted to do. The Lord has gifted each believer according to his purpose, none have been left out. Therefor we all have the responsibility to apply our gift with all our heart.

Eph 6:7

7 Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not men,

NIV

Although this mainly refers to our secular work, it also applies to our service in the body of Christ. But more importantly than all that, we should never slack in our relationship with God. That would mean in our prayers which indicate both petitions and listening. If we are slackers in our time with God, then it might well cause damage, destruction to our soul. Slacking in our time with God can certainly lead to being more susceptible to yielding to temptation. Continual yielding leads to a seared conscience, which leads to destruction. We cannot afford that kind of attitude in our relationship with God. Sure, we will never attain total freedom from sin, but we cannot be slack in seeking forgiveness. When we are slack in our relationship with the Lord we are in danger of thinking as the world thinks in regards to every aspect of our lives. This cannot be. We simply cannot afford to slack off. No slacking.