Diligence versus sloth in Proverbs is a simple listing of Bible verses from Proverbs that bear on the issues of diligence and sloth.
Proverbs 13:4 The soul of the sluggard desireth, and hath nothing: but the soul of the diligent shall be made fat.
Proverbs 15:19 The way of the slothful man is as an hedge of thorns: but the way of the righteous is made plain.
Proverbs 18:9 He also that is slothful in his work is brother to him that is a great waster.
Proverbs 6:6 Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise:
Proverbs 6:7 Which having no guide, overseer, or ruler,
Proverbs 6:8 Provideth her meat in the summer, and gathereth her food in the harvest.
Proverbs 6:9 How long wilt thou sleep, O sluggard? when wilt thou arise out of thy sleep?
Proverbs 6:10 Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep:
Proverbs 6:11 So shall thy poverty come as one that travelleth, and thy want as an armed man.
Proverbs 12:24 The hand of the diligent shall bear rule: but the slothful shall be under tribute.
Proverbs 19:15 Slothfulness casteth into a deep sleep; and an idle soul shall suffer hunger.
Proverbs 20:4 The sluggard will not plow by reason of the cold; therefore shall he beg in harvest, and have nothing.
Proverbs 21:25 The desire of the slothful killeth him; for his hands refuse to labour.
Proverbs 24:30 I went by the field of the slothful, and by the vineyard of the man void of understanding;
Proverbs 24:31 And, lo, it was all grown over with thorns, and nettles had covered the face thereof, and the stone wall thereof was broken down.
Proverbs 24:32 Then I saw, and considered it well: I looked upon it, and received instruction.
Proverbs 24:33 Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep:
Proverbs 24:34 So shall thy poverty come as one that travelleth; and thy want as an armed man.
The following is taken from Lessons on the Book of Proverbs by Hopkins.
Hopkins, Louisa P. Lessons of the Book of Proverbs Topically Arranged Forming a System of Practical Ethics (Boston: Tappan and Dennet, 1843). 107 pages.
1. In these verses, what is the chief reward promised to diligence?
2. What is the prominent evil denounced against slothfulness?
3. Is poverty the only punishment of slothfulness?
4. What evils does it bring upon the body?
5. What upon the mind?
6. What effect has it on the reputation?
7. What will be the result of slothfulness in the affairs of the soul? Matt 25:11, 12, 24—30. 13:25—27.
8. Can salvation be secured without great diligence? Luke 13:24 2 Pet 1: 5,10. 3:14 Heb. 11: 6.
9. Is wealth the only temporal blessing secured by industry?
10. What are its good effects on the body?
11. What on the mind?
12. What on the reputation? Prov. 22: 29, 31: 28.
13. Should the hope of these advantages be our chief motive to diligence? Rom. 12: 11. Col 3:23, 24. 1 Cor. 10: 31.
14. How is the way of the slothful “as a hedge of thorns?”
15. How is the slothful man “brother to him that is a great waster?”
16. What examples do the irrational animals set us in respect to industry?
17. Is there any animal remarkable for laziness?
18. There is one, the Sloth, a most disgusting animal; relate all you know of its habits.
19. What particulars are included in the diligent improvement of time?
20. Can he be called diligent who is not an early riser?
21. How many hours do you spend in sleep?
22. How many minutes do you waste every day?
23. What other faults generally follow idleness?
24. Can all kinds of employment be called industry?
25. Suppose you spend a whole day in riding seesaw on a board; is that any better than idleness?
26. To whom does our time belong?
27. To whom must we give an account of the manner in which we spend it?
28. Will diligence in spiritual things as certainly secure a blessing as in worldly business? Matt 7:7, 8. Jer. 29:13 Prov. 2: 3—5.
29. What reason does Solomon give in another place, for diligence ? Eccl. 9; 10.
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