What does a sluggard crave? I presume it is anything that others crave. The reason that which he craves for will be the death of him is because he doesn’t work enough (if at all) to purchase or trade for it. He craves, but cannot obtain because he is poor and lazy. When he becomes hungry, as other proverbs state, he will not be able to buy or harvest food. (19:24, 20:4, 24:30, 26:15)
For me, this is a warning and an encouragement. I at times do not want or feel like doing work and/or going to my job. I have some valid reasons to not work. But here I find a valid reason to work. Though work may be hard and a drudge sometimes, it is better than dying because I am a sluggard. Work is not guaranteed to be easy for anyone. In fact, the Lord God told Adam, “By the sweat of your brow you will eat your food until you return to the ground, since from it you were taken; for dust you are and to dust you will return.” (Genesis 3:19)
One final thought comes to mind. Obeying the great commission is work too. It falls under the curse the Lord gave to Adam and his descendants. Jesus tells me to take up my cross and follow him. He did not have an easy life. He also tells me, “As long as it is day, we must do the work of him who sent me. Night is coming, when no one can work. While I am in the world, I am the light of the world.” (John 9:4-5) Though at times the gospel work is hard, I strive on doing the work of the Father.
