Key Verse Spotlight
Proverbs 18:9 - Meaning and Application
Understand how this verse speaks to what you're facing and how to apply it today
Translation: World English Bible — Catholic Edition
" One who is slack in his work is brother to him who is a master of destruction. "
Proverbs 18:9
Verse in Context
Understanding the surrounding verses prevents misinterpretation:
7 A fool’s mouth is his destruction, and his lips are a snare to his soul.
8 The words of a gossip are like dainty morsels: they go down into a person’s innermost parts.
9 One who is slack in his work is brother to him who is a master of destruction.
10 The LORD’s name is a strong tower: the righteous run to him, and are safe.
11 The rich man’s wealth is his strong city, like an unscalable wall in his own imagination.
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Note, first, wastefulness is very bad stewardship. Those who spend carelessly, live above their means, and give away more than they can afford are rightly called fools among people. They will also have a painful answer to give to God about the gifts and resources he trusted to them.
Second, laziness is no better. The one whose hands hang down, meaning someone who is slack in his work, who stands idle and neglects his business, is very much like the wasteful person. He is just as foolish and just as near to poverty. One person scatters what he has, while the other lets it slip away through his fingers.
This is also true in spiritual matters. The person who is careless and halfhearted in praying and hearing God’s word is like the one who does not pray or hear at all. Leaving duties undone, or doing them badly, is as dangerous to the soul as open sin.
From This Chapter
Proverbs 18:1
"A man who isolates himself pursues selfishness, and defies all sound judgment."
Proverbs 18:2
"A fool has no delight in understanding, but only in revealing his own opinion."
Proverbs 18:3
"When wickedness comes, contempt also comes, and with shame comes disgrace."
Proverbs 18:4
"The words of a man’s mouth are like deep waters. The fountain of wisdom is like a flowing brook."
Proverbs 18:5
"To be partial to the faces of the wicked is not good, nor to deprive the innocent of justice."
Proverbs 18:6
"A fool’s lips come into strife, and his mouth invites beatings."
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