Take Out the Trash

(Proverbs 19:24 KJV)  A slothful man hideth his hand in his bosom, and will not so much as bring it to his mouth again.

This is an interesting picture and a strange observation of sloth.  The KJV gives a picture of Napoleon in the classic picture with his hand in his coat.  The NASB describes someone too lazy to feed himself.  In this case the NASB is more accurate.  The “dish” (6747) of the NASB is a literal translation.  I am not sure where the KJV gets “bosom”.  Either way the picture is someone whom you would not want to take out in public.

How many problems in the world are because of laziness?  It is hard to tell.  Some people are in dire circumstances because of sloth.  Others through no fault of their own.  Some neighborhoods are run down because of sloth.  Even a poor person can pick up trash, not write on the walls, wash windows and sweep a sidewalk.  It doesn’t matter how much money you have if you are lazy.  I remember going to the apartment of a computer geek one time.  If you have ever seen the cartoon depictions of a computer surrounded by piles of pizza boxes and empty cans then you have seen his apartment.  Was it poverty?  No, it was a lack of home training and effort.

So?  Being lazy is not just a personal choice.  It is a statement about destiny and eternity.  I cast no stones but I am dodging a few.