Fresh Manna
by Pastor Tim Burt

In Matthew 21:28-31, Jesus told this story. “…A man with two sons told the older boy, ‘Son, go out and work in the vineyard today.’ The son answered, ‘No, I won’t go,’ but later he regretted what he said and changed his mind and went anyway. Then the father told the other son, ‘You go,’ and he said, ‘Yes, sir, I will.’ But he didn’t go. Which of the two was obeying his father?” They replied, “The first, of course.” Then Jesus explained his meaning: “I assure you, corrupt tax collectors and prostitutes will get into the Kingdom of God before you do.” 

In this story, it was easy for anyone that heard it to figure out which of the two sons was obeying his father. It was not the one that offered the most appropriate lip service, but instead the one that “did” the right thing. Our actions speak louder than words. Our rightly motivated actions prompted by love and obedience to Jesus are “the bottom line!”

Life is filled with people who are lazy. Signs within every area of a lazy person’s life betrays what they hope is a secret. Most every area of their life is void of disciplines. Their homes are typically a chaotic mess. Their cars are usually trashed. Their relationships lack any substance. And their work ethic is usually despised by those around them. There is another level of laziness even worse than this. That is the person that expects the world – the government, organizations, and whoever is around them, to take care of them. They don’t give. They only take. (In saying this, I exclude all legitimate people who are handicapped and need legitimate support and help. They are NOT who I am talking about.)

Being lazy is a curse. The book of Proverbs gives us insight to what the lazy person’s life will be like. Proverbs 10:4 tells us “Lazy people are soon poor while diligent workers experience increase.” Proverbs 10:26 tells us “Lazy people are a pain to their employer. They are like smoke in the eyes or vinegar that sets the teeth on edge.” Proverbs 12:24 says, “Work hard and become a leader; be lazy and become a slave.” Proverbs 12:27 reveals the procrastination of the lazy saying, “Lazy people don’t even cook the game they catch, but the diligent make use of everything they find.” Proverbs 13:4 says, “Lazy people want much but get little, but those who work hard will prosper and be satisfied.” Proverbs 18:9 reveals that lazy people can ultimately become dangerous to us. “A lazy person is as bad as someone who destroys things.“ The lazy person is the undisciplined person who makes endless excuses (and is blind to their doing so.) Proverbs 22:13 “The lazy person is full of excuses, saying, “If I go outside, I might meet a lion in the street and be killed!” At the end of the day, the lazy person’s life becomes a curse. Proverbs 6:6 says, “Take a lesson from the ants, you lazybones. Learn from their ways and be wise!” 

We will experience much greater success in life if we understand that consistent diligent effort builds godly character and lead to more frequent successful experiences. Faithful diligent people who work at bringing excellence to all they put their hand to are the opposite of every definition of lazy.

How does a lazy person transition to diligence? It isn’t because they one day decide “I’m not going to be lazy anymore.” Usually there is a wake-up call of some painful experience that opens their eyes to the trouble their lazy ways have reaped. That in turn triggers the revelation of needing to be more diligent. Most anyone in desperation will cry out to God. God in His goodness will respond and help if they are serious. God by His grace will lead the sincere person down a new path of transformation based on the Bible – the Word of God. The Lord will draw that person into a series of commitments. He’ll teach them and help strengthen them to override the whiny attitudes and selfishness of their own flesh. 2 Corinthians 9:8 (NIV) says “And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.”  God’s grace is the supernatural help that will be available in “all things at all times” to anyone who wants to change!

Like the man in Jesus’ parable, they might start out saying, “No,” but then God will speak to their heart and they will change and become a doer – not just a talker!

This is how laziness is supernaturally defeated by the power of God at work in a person. The blessing of it spills over to all parts of that person’s life and over time, and they are transformed from being lazy to becoming diligent for the Lord.

Proverbs 21:5 says, “Good planning and hard work lead to prosperity, but hasty shortcuts lead to poverty.” The life of the diligent is blessed. The life of the lazy is cursed. God made you to be the diligent!

In His love,
Pastor Tim

Published by Pastor Tim Burt
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