Proverbs 21:25–26 (ESV)

25 The desire of the sluggard kills him,

for his hands refuse to labor.

26 All day long he craves and craves,

but the righteous gives and does not hold back.

What a horrible existence it is for one to be constantly filled with longings for spiritual growth and fruit, and at the same time be utterly unwilling to expend any time, effort or energy to obtain it. Many a man or woman “wishes” they knew the Bible better, or had a rich prayer life, or ministered to others or had money to give or walked in holiness or had faith – who never do a thing toward attaining any of them. One must read and study their Bible to know it. One must pray, to have a prayer life. One must work to have something to give to others; put away sin to walk in holiness and trust in order for faith to grow. Alas – they will simply bewail their lack instead of investing anything tangible in supplying it. Instead, the sluggard will be jealous of the walk others have. They’ll buy into spiritual “get godly quick schemes”. They’ll have every excuse in the book as to why their case is unique – and often even blame God because in His sovereignty He hasn’t seen fit to give such spirituality to them as He has to others. And all of this is owing to one thing – their own laziness.

Heavenly Father, forgive me for how often this has been my own case.