Proverbs 20:4

The sluggard does not plow in the autumn; he will seek at harvest and have nothing.

Back in the day when this Proverb was written, the world was an agrarian world, meaning that agriculture was the main activity of most of the people. If people wanted to eat during the year, especially in the fall and winter, they had to plant crops in the previous spring. So plant seed early – reap harvest later.

The “sluggard” spoken of in this scripture is someone who is lazy. They didn’t plant when they were supposed to. They didn’t put in the work to cultivate their crops. They didn’t give the plants the time they needed to develop fully. Then when harvest time came, they went looking around for their harvest, but found only the results of their efforts…nothing.

So, how does that apply to us today? Well we usually like to think of our “harvest” representing a future benefit, something that is a positive for our lives. It could be a better job, marriage, relationship, health, bank account (more money), etc. “Harvests” could be something you plan for, or it could be the natural outcome of something you are doing now. It is the result of a process, time and effort.

So what are you doing now that will spring forth a benefit later? What are you doing that is intentional? What are you not doing? Are you living for the moment, or are you living with a goal in mind, where each day’s activity brings you closer to that goal?

Don’t be like the “sluggard” in the Proverb, looking hard for something you didn’t plant.