Thoughts On A Proverb #5

Thinking With The Wise. Proverbs 10:5

Photo by Valentina Ivanova on Unsplash

Proverbs 10:5

“He who gathers in summer is a prudent son, but he who sleeps in harvest is a son who brings shame.”

Points To Remember

1. The word “Prudent” is someone who is intelligent or wise, especially when thinking about the future. Someone who considers or has understanding (Strongs Concordance). The continual theme in these past verses is a wise son and a diligent worker.

2. A man must store food in the summer in order to have enough for the winter. This man has an understanding that: prosperity in one season is partly a means of survival for the next season.

3. Both hard work and planning are encouraged. Though God provides; men must not conclude that they have no responsibility. They are responsible to work and plan. God provides the ability to carry out each. They must pray for their daily bread and also gather and plan.

4. We have times that are meant to provide for us and we must see them and use them with wisdom.

5. To rest in times for working will bring shame. To be slack in opportunities that are before us may lead to a harder future.

6. The slack hand in verse 4 is the hand of those who sleep in verse 5.

7. A man is often forced to beg because he has slacked off when he should have been storing up.

   This concept can be applied to many areas of life. I think of how much time I have now to gather up the word of God. I wonder if one day, when I’m old, I will lay in my bed and desire scripture for comfort. I hope if that day arrives, I will have gathered enough to sustain me in my joy in Christ!

This makes times of prosperity or sudden flows of income hold a different meaning for me. I must find a way not to use times like this as a time for enjoyment only.

Many times when I have extra money from longer work days, I spend it, rather than hold on to it for future winters—even future opportunities to share with others. I find myself buying more books and the latest audio book instead of saving what has been gathered.

I must realize that these seasons of gathering aren’t necessarily freedom for pleasure, or a time to relax, but rather provision for the future. This is wise.

I have many opportunities given to me, I pray to use them the best I can. Work hard and gather what you can, so that you can be a blessing when times may be dry instead of bringing shame.

For The Job

I think it’s plain. Don’t be slack in the work at hand. Consider whatever we are doing as an opportunity and provision for now and for the future. We don’t know what’s in store. God, in his wisdom, has given us exactly what we need in order to live where we are at. It would be best to give our work our best effort and not sleep, lest we find ourselves begging.

For The Family

Saving is a good thing. Gathering is a good thing. It will be wise to begin this practice. Our culture loves vacations, entertainment, and leisure. We should consider that if our family life is mainly focused on these, we can expect hard times. Many of our stresses and anxieties are caused by our own lack of wisdom. We don’t see the opportunity in the right perspective, so we use it wrongly. As a family, I think it would be good to slow down and think more about where we spend what we have gathered. Let us avoid trying to live in only leisure and pleasure. This has caused great difficulty for many families. We have more than we need and pay for more than we can afford. Let us not try to impress others with things that may lead to us becoming beggars. Instead let us work hard and be content.

For The Young

Seek the opportunities given to you and remember that not every opportunity is given to be spent on your pleasure. With this, don’t be lazy and find yourself in want because you weren’t prepared. The world offers many things for you to desire, I pray that you don’t get entangled by them, but have understanding. I pray this for myself, also.

Let us listen to these Proverbs about work.

Cling to Christ!

Related Verses

“A slack hand causes poverty, but the hand of the diligent makes rich.” —Proverbs 10:4

“Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men…” —Colossians 3:23

“Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established.” —Proverbs 16:3