February 20

Feb 20 - Today from Proverbs 20 we look at verse 4
"A sluggard does not plow in season; so at harvest time he looks but finds nothing."

This is such a clear, universal principle - and yet how prone we are to violate it because of misplaced priorities. One of my Study Bibles is a Life Application Bible. I would like to share the application it gives for this particular verse; "You have heard similar warnings: If you don't study, you'll fail the test; If you don't save, you won't have the money when you need it. God wants us to anticipate future needs and prepare for them. We can't expect Him to come to our rescue when we cause our own problems through lack of planning and action. He provides for us, but He also expects us to be responsible."
Sometimes our problem is prioritizing our fields. We may not be a 'sluggard' in our energy output. It's just that we apply our energy in reaping from fruitless fields rather than plowing fields, which have great potential for fruitfulness. The reason this is such a common trap is because growing a fruitful harvest takes patience! You can't plow one day, plant the next, and then reap a harvest the next. Let's take the two examples from the quote above:
Why wouldn't the student study for the test? "The test isn't until next Friday. I'll have plenty of time to study before then. My friends are going out to see the new (insert your own title) movie, and this will probably be the only chance I have to see it with them." Hey, I was once a student you know. In fact I was one of those 'sluggardly' students who always seemed to be in the wrong field - and I regret it to this day.
Why wouldn't the person save money for important future investments (college, house, emergencies, etc.)? "My computer is two years old - it's practically a dinosaur! (Insert your own retailer) has the newest model on sale for only $700 complete with all of the latest options." How many of you guys have 'labored' in that field?
The Bible tells us that there are opportunities for 'fruit that lasts'. Some last a lifetime - like a good education, like integrity of character, like faithful friends. Some last for generations - like Godly children, like a prosperous business, like a well planned endowment. Some last eternally - like the souls we prayed for, ministered to, and witnessed to - like the rewards God gives for obedience when it made no sense. Some fields are more worthy of our efforts than others; we have to choose our priorities. Once chosen, we have to be patient. The greater the field, the more patience is required. Consider these words from James 5:7, 8:
"Be patient, then, brothers, until the Lord's coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop and how patient he is for the autumn and spring rains. You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord's coming is near."