Lazy hands make for poverty, but diligent hands bring wealth. Proverbs 10:4
A servant pampered from youth will turn out to be insolent. Proverbs 29:21
King Solomon enjoyed nature and animals. 1 Kings 4:32-33 tells us, “He described trees, from the cedar in Lebanon to the hyssop growing out of the wall. He also taught about animals, birds, reptiles, and fish.” It’s no wonder he took note of the tiny ant’s work ethic in Proverbs 6. Laziness was a pet peeve of the hard-working monarch, and God gave him much insight about lazy people—their lack of initiative, wastefulness, and propensity to sleep too much. Consequently, they have terrible reputations and their futures are “blocked with thorns” (15:19). Parents are responsible for teaching children how to work hard and be respectful of others. Proverbs 29:21 says, “A servant pampered from youth will turn out to be insolent.” With arrogant rudeness, he will come to expect special treatment and undeserved privileges. In teaching our kids to work hard, we need to keep home, family, church, and community responsibilities high on our list, rather than just those activities which are child-centered (sports, dance, etc.). Invite God to help you establish a well-balanced schedule and priority set as a family. This will keep laziness and rudeness at bay.
For help in teaching this “D” principle to your kids, try the ideas in my book Proverbial Kids® Lesson Plans for Parents.
See how Leo’s recliner accident opens a whole new world for him and his mother in Lazy Leo’s Totally Untapped Talent, now available through Westbow Press and karenholcombbooks.com.
Proverbial Kids 