Procrastination: Saints Avoid
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Procrastination, the act of delaying or postponing tasks, is a behavior that Scripture implicitly warns against through various teachings on diligence, stewardship, and the wise use of time. While the Bible does not explicitly mention the term "procrastination," its principles guide believers to avoid such tendencies, emphasizing the importance of promptness and responsibility in fulfilling one's duties.

Biblical Principles Against Procrastination

1. Diligence and Hard Work: The Bible frequently extols the virtues of diligence and hard work, contrasting them with laziness and sloth. Proverbs 6:6-8 advises, "Go to the ant, O sluggard; consider her ways and be wise. Without a commander, without an overseer or ruler, she prepares her bread in summer and gathers her food at harvest." This passage encourages believers to be proactive and industrious, learning from the ant's example of preparation and timely action.

2. Stewardship of Time: Ephesians 5:15-16 instructs, "Pay careful attention, then, to how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil." This exhortation highlights the importance of making the most of every opportunity, recognizing that time is a precious resource entrusted to us by God. Procrastination, therefore, is seen as a failure to steward time wisely.

3. The Urgency of Obedience: Scripture often emphasizes the need for immediate obedience to God's commands. In Matthew 4:19-20 , Jesus calls Peter and Andrew, saying, "Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men." The text notes, "At once they left their nets and followed Him." The disciples' prompt response serves as a model for believers, illustrating the importance of immediate action in response to God's call.

4. Avoiding Slothfulness: Proverbs 13:4 states, "The soul of the sluggard craves yet gets nothing, but the soul of the diligent is fully satisfied." This proverb contrasts the unfulfilled desires of the procrastinator with the satisfaction of those who are diligent, underscoring the negative consequences of delaying necessary actions.

5. The Parable of the Talents: In Matthew 25:14-30, Jesus tells the parable of the talents, where servants are entrusted with their master's wealth. The servant who buried his talent out of fear and inaction is rebuked as "wicked and lazy" (Matthew 25:26). This parable illustrates the expectation that believers actively use their God-given gifts and opportunities, rather than delaying or neglecting their responsibilities.

Examples of Saints Avoiding Procrastination

1. Nehemiah: When Nehemiah learned of Jerusalem's broken walls, he immediately sought permission from King Artaxerxes to rebuild them (Nehemiah 2:4-5). His swift action and leadership exemplify a proactive approach to addressing urgent needs.

2. Paul the Apostle: The Apostle Paul is a model of urgency in ministry. In Acts 20:31 , he reminds the Ephesian elders, "Therefore be alert and remember that for three years I never stopped warning each of you night and day with tears." Paul's tireless dedication to his mission reflects a life free from procrastination.

3. Ruth: In the Book of Ruth, Ruth's decision to glean in the fields to provide for herself and Naomi demonstrates initiative and diligence (Ruth 2:2). Her actions lead to her eventual redemption and blessing, showing the rewards of timely and faithful work.

Conclusion

The biblical narrative consistently encourages believers to avoid procrastination by embracing diligence, wise stewardship of time, and prompt obedience to God's will. Through the examples of saints and the teachings of Scripture, Christians are called to live lives marked by purposeful action and faithful service.
Torrey's Topical Textbook
Psalm 27:8
When you said, Seek you my face; my heart said to you, Your face, LORD, will I seek.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Psalm 119:60
I made haste, and delayed not to keep your commandments.
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Library

Presumptuous Sins
... who are dear to me counsel me to avoid the way ... O! dear friends, procrastination is
a presumptuous sin ... thing to find the Apostle Paul warning saints against the ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 3 1857/presumptuous sins.htm

One Lion Two Lions no Lion at All
... take a world of trouble to avoid trouble; storing ... Saints of old have overcome through
the blood of ... always the result of waiting: procrastination never profits ...
//christianbookshelf.org/spurgeon/sermons on proverbs/one lion two lions no.htm

Quenching the Spirit.
... power; but it is always well to avoid that measure ... The Spirit in the hearts of saints
is pre-eminently a ... Again by a spirit of procrastination, and by indulging ...
/.../finney/sermons on gospel themes/xv quenching the spirit.htm

The Heavenly Footman; Or, a Description of the Man that Gets to ...
... thus in a solemn warning against procrastination he says ... reproach, that either God,
Christ, saints, the world ... Thus, therefore, thou must do: Avoid such things ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/the heavenly footman or a.htm

To Pammachius against John of Jerusalem.
... is anything more in it than ignorance, so that he may avoid the suspicion of ... and
demons will some time or other repent, and ultimately reign with the saints. ...
/.../jerome/the principal works of st jerome/to pammachius against john of.htm

Resources
Are there any true differences between millennials and people from other generations? | GotQuestions.org

What is a vagabond in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

What is up with Millennials? | GotQuestions.org

Lazy: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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