Here are the quotations from Saturday’s message:

“Present ease is all [the sluggard] calculates on, all he provides for. The future he carefully keeps out of sight, to be provided for, like the present, when it comes. Thus life runs to waste.” Charles Bridges, Proverbs, 61.

“The wise man will learn while there is time. He knows that the sluggard is no freak, but, as often as not, an ordinary man who has made too many excuses, too many refusals, and too many postponements. It has all been as imperceptible, and as pleasant, as falling asleep.” Derek Kidner, Proverbs, 43.

“What we are to learn from this, of course, is that work is an appointed part of a godly life… Therefore, we reflect the character of God in caring for others, in producing things, in being purposeful in our actions.” Mark Dever, The Message of the Old Testament, 513.

And some other quotes on the topic that I like but wasn’t able to use:

“The sluggard is pretty easy to recognize. You can recognize him, first, by his failure to take advantage of his present opportunities… You can recognize a sluggard by his inordinate love for sleep… You also can recognize a sluggard by his failure to ever finish what he starts.” Mark Dever, Promises Made, 513.

“When we ask him (6:9, 10) ‘How long…?’ ‘When…?’, we are being too definite for him. He doesn’t know. All he knows is his delicious drowsiness; all he asks is a little respite: ‘a little… a little… a little…’. He does no commit himself to a refusal, but deceives himself by the smallness of his surrenders. So, by inches and minutes, his opportunity slips away.” Derek Kidner, Proverbs, 42.

“First a thing is impossible, then it is difficult, then it is done.” Bob Schultz, Created for Work, 25.

“Always, therefore, look at sloth, not as an infirmity, but as a sin, affecting the whole man: growing upon us with unperceived power. Allow it therefore no rest, no time to root itself. Resist it in all its forms—bodily, mental, spiritual: indulgence of sleep and appetite: self-pleasing in all its subtle and plausible workings. Live by rule. Have your time strictly arranged. Be employed in early work for God. Store the mind with useful knowledge; ever reserving the first place for an industrious and prayerful study of the book of God.” Charles Bridges, Proverbs, 62.

And the funny story about President Lincoln:

“One day . . . I got into a fit of musing in my room and stood resting my elbows on the bureau. Looking into the glass, it struck me what an ugly man I was. The fact grew on me and I made up my mind that I must be the ugliest man in the world. It so maddened me that I resolved, should I ever see an uglier, I would shoot him on sight. Not long after this, Andy [naming a lawyer present] came to town and the first time I saw him I said to myself: “There’s the man.” I went home, took down my gun, and prowled around the streets waiting for him. He soon came along. “Halt, Andy,” said I, pointing the gun at him, “say your prayers, for I am going to shoot you.” “Why, Mr. Lincoln, what’s the matter? What have I done?” “Well, I made an oath that if I ever saw an uglier man than I am, I’d shoot him on the spot. You are uglier, surely; so make ready to die.” “Mr. Lincoln, do you really think that I am uglier than you?” “Yes.” “Well, Mr. Lincoln,” said Andy deliberately and looking me squarely in the face, “if I am any uglier, fire away.” Charles Osgood, Funny Letters From Famous People.

Categories: Drivers Ed, five15 blog