BEWARE OF THE SNOOZE BUTTON

November 22, 2017

BEWARE OF THE SNOOZE BUTTON

Proverbs 24:23–34

Roger Haynes

Central Truth

Work is a gift from God. We are called not to waste the opportunity, but to use it for His glory, just as if it were any other treasure.

A little sleep, a little slumber,
a little folding of the hands to rest,
and poverty will come upon you like a robber,
and want like an armed man.
(Proverbs 24:33-34)

More Sayings of the Wise

23 These also are sayings of the wise.

Partiality in judging is not good.
24 Whoever says to the wicked, “You are in the right,”
    will be cursed by peoples, abhorred by nations,
25 but those who rebuke the wicked will have delight,
    and a good blessing will come upon them.
26 Whoever gives an honest answer
    kisses the lips.

27 Prepare your work outside;
get everything ready for yourself in the field,
and after that build your house.

28 Be not a witness against your neighbor without cause,
and do not deceive with your lips.
29 Do not say, “I will do to him as he has done to me;
I will pay the man back for what he has done.”

30 I passed by the field of a sluggard,
    by the vineyard of a man lacking sense,
31 and behold, it was all overgrown with thorns;
    the ground was covered with nettles,
    and its stone wall was broken down.
32 Then I saw and considered it;
    I looked and received instruction.
33 A little sleep, a little slumber,
    a little folding of the hands to rest,
34 and poverty will come upon you like a robber,
    and want like an armed man.

In the Bible, God gives advice on many areas of life, but this one applies to all of us just about every morning. I remember a roommate in college who put his alarm clock on the other side of the room from the bed so he would have to get up to turn it off or push snooze. He hoped that it would keep him from going back to sleep and end up late for class. It didn't always work.

Do you use the snooze button? I do sometimes. It is very tempting. Unfortunately, some people make life a continuous game of pushing the snooze button. But God has had a different plan from the very beginning of creation.

Adam had a job on day one in the Garden of Eden! God gave him the task of tending the garden even before Eve was around (Genesis 2:15). Then later, he had "to work the ground from which he was taken" after the fall (Genesis 3:23). Fast forward to the New Testament and 2 Thessalonians 3:10 says, "For even when we were with you, we would give you this command: If anyone is not willing to work, let him not eat." And Colossians 3:23 says, "Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men."

Today's Key Verse warns against the temptations of the snooze button. As an example of the danger, verses 30-31 describe a lazy sluggard's vineyard (see also Proverbs 6:6, 10:4). You may ask, "But don't these verses just say to not be lazy so you won't be poor? Isn't work just a way to pay the bills?" It is, but God says it is much more than that. As in all things, it is a chance to honor Him.

Many of us spend more time at work than anywhere else. Often we think that the only way to honor God at work is to share the gospel. Don't waste the opportunity to honor God with how you perform your work with excellence and share the reason why you work with others around you who struggle with the snooze button.

1. Do you see your job as a privilege with a purpose, or as a chore?

2. Even if it seems like you don't have your ideal job, how can you shift your focus to being grateful for the job God has provided and do it with excellence?

3. How can you put your faith to work while you are at work? Are you in a position to make connections with other Christians in your industry that will allow you to make changes so biblical values are honored?

4. Are you in the middle of job hunting right now and wishing you could just find a job with which to honor God? Check out Careers in Motion at Watermark.