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Daily Devotions

Ecclesiastes

Ecclesiastes 
Day 
Day 152

"Because of laziness the building decays"

Text: Ecclesiastes 10:18

OBSERVATIONS ABOUT LAZINESS

Solomon made a careful study about kings and those involved in the ruling of a country. But even if a king is very good, he can only do so much and no more. Much also depends on the people who make up the kingdom.

“Because of laziness the building decays,
And through idleness of hands the house leaks.”
Ecclesiastes 10:18

1. “Because of laziness the building decays”

a) When people become lazy

i) It affects the individual.

ii) It has adverse effects on the family.

iii) Ultimately, it will affect the nation.

b) In an affluent country

i) Many buildings would be erected.

ii) Some buildings could be monumental.

iii) Great buildings reflect the wealth of the nation.

c) But should laziness creep in

i) Any building can decay.

iii) Laziness in maintaining a building would result in decay.

iii) It takes hard work and diligence to maintain a building well.

2. “And through idleness of hands the house leaks”

a) The word “idleness” is used as a synonym in this context.

b) The “idle person” describes the habit of a lazy person.

c) The idle person may have a house.

i) It may not be a magnificent building.

ii) He may have inherited his house.

d) But he has to maintain his house, for obvious reasons.

e) If he remains idle, his house would start to give problem.

i) His house may start to have leaks.

ii) A house that leaks is not a great home.

iii) And this may not be the only problem though.

3. The challenge of this observation

a) To battle laziness.

b) To put away idleness.

c) To cultivate and practise diligence and to be hardworking.