This Killing Time is Killing Me

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. Proverbs 24:30-31 (NKJV)

If there's one thing I've learned in life, it's there is a difference between being lazy and being poor.  Every time I see an oppressed area, I wonder why it has to be so dirty.  Why is this?  What does cleaning something have to do with money? Why can't weeds be pulled, windows be cleaned, and sidewalks be swept?  

Such is the case of the lazy man spoken of in Proverbs 24:30-31.  The result of this man's unwillingness to work was an overgrown vineyard, filled with thorns, prickly foreign plants and broken down walls.  

Solomon goes on to write about the fate of this lazy man in the following verses.

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. Proverbs 24:33-34 (NKJV)

Many believers are struggling financially in our economy, and the temptation to doubt what the future holds can bring about skepticism, worry, anxiety, anger, depression and eventually unwillingness to do anything.  Some people are collecting unemployment benefits totally content to sit around all day just watching T.V.  They would say, "Hey, I'm just killing the time..." But this shouldn't be this way.  

As Christians, we should be encouraging others to continue to be about their father's business.  God has a plan for their life and it didn't stop because the economy did.  In fact, God allowed the economy to effect every person in a unique way.  It is a part of His plan to shape each of us and to draw us near to Him.  We can then begin to see His true blessings and feel our need to seek Him for daily provisions.

Q:    So what does this tangibly mean to us as Christian men and women?  

It means we can get up, read our bibles and spend time with the Lord.  We can ask Him to lead us and guide us in our actions this day.  We can make plans to inquire about work, and then go about our day.  Men, we can help our wives clean the home, including the yard, the windows, the baseboards and yes, the dishes (especially if our wives are working). We can clean the yard, and pull our weeds.  We can even help a neighbor do the same who may be unable. 

You can even help by calling the church and letting them know you have a certain ability and some free time to help those in need.  The bottom line is the Lord will bless us when we put our hands to work as it were for Him. 

And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him. Colossians 3:17 NKJV)

The point is this; God is in control!  He knows what we need, and He has told us not to worry about it.  Jesus gave a parable to His followers about this very subject.  And in it, He showed just how much God cares; even showing how he clothed the flowers of the field.  

 "So why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; and yet I say to you that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. Now if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? "Therefore do not worry, saying, "What shall we eat?" or "What shall we drink?" or "What shall we wear?" For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things.  But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. Matthew 6:28-33 (NKJV)

Hey Christian, I want to encourage you today to be filled with joy.  Don't worry about your provision because our God supplies our needs faithfully - simply seek the Lord and His will for your life.  If you are home with no work, don't just sit around killing time - seek to make use of the most valuable commodity God has given you.  Invest it wisely and take care of those things He has given you.  Now invest into others.  

STUDY QUESTION: What can we learn from the Scriptures within this devotional with regard to God providing our needs, and our responsibility to be good workers and to take care of what God has given us?

PERSONAL INVENTORY: Are you being a good steward of the things God has given you?  Are you keeping your property and home clean and in order?

APPLICATION: Be a good steward of what God has provided for you.  Be a good example of a Christian for your neighbors and others to see.  If you are off of work, look to help others in your family, church and neighborhood.