The Field of the Sluggard

The Field of the Sluggard                                                                 June 5, 2022

“I passed by the field of the sluggard, and by the vineyard of the man lacking sense; and behold, it was completely overgrown with thistles, its surface was covered with nettles, and its stone wall was broken down.  When I saw, I reflected upon it; I looked, and received instruction.  ‘A little sleep, a little slumber, and a little folding of the hands to rest,’ Then your poverty will come on as a robber, and your want like an armed man.” (Proverbs 24:30-34)

While driving through town I’m sure all of us at some time or another have noticed that the front lawn of a house overgrown with tall grass and weeds and wonder if the owner was very sick and unable to take care of things or, in fact, they had passed away.  You see, it’s not normal for one to neglect cutting their lawn, right?  Usually there’s some  legitimate reason for not doing so.

However, there are some people who just don’t care how things look around their place or how other people view their neglecting of things that need care and upkeep.  To them it’s their house and it’s not anybody business to question why things look so uncared for. 

What this person fails to recognize, however, is that they are a part of a neighborhood with other houses and property that is affected in value by the way the houses in the neighborhood present themselves.  Have you ever heard the phrase, “Looks like a nice neighborhood to live in?”  What that’s saying is that the neighborhood is considerate of others, and are willing enough to make sure the neighborhood is a good place to live in.

There is also the spiritual field of the sluggard.  In this case the sluggard is a Christian and the neighborhood (field) in which he is a part of is the church.  There are some in the church who make every effort to make it presentable and pleasing to man and God by living the kind of life God expects of them while others think only of themselves and couldn’t care less how the church is viewed by others.  When they are unforgiving, unloving, and self-centered they are like the uncaring neighbor who wilfully neglects the care and attention of his property. 

In John 13:34-35 Jesus said to His disciples, “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another.  By this (presentation of Me through you) all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have (My) love for one another.”

When Christians and non-Christians drive by our spiritual front yard, what do they see?  Will that visual presentation convince them that we are indeed followers of Christ?

Jesus said to Philip, “Have I been so long with you, and yet you have not yet come to know Me, Philip?  He who has seen Me has seen the Father; how do you say, ‘Show us the Father’? (John 14:9)

Who do people see in your life?  Is it Jesus or just you?

Brian Thompson