Teachings – The Field of the Slothful

THE FIELD OF THE SLOTHFUL

UNFOLDING FIFTEEN

WHERE WE ARE 

In the preceding discourse, we learned about the slothful man. Hopefully, the one question we must answer is, ‘Hast thou never cultivated thy heart?’ As Pastor Spurgeon believed unless the soul of a man finds his rest and peace in Christ Jesus, he will never truly work and accomplish what most matters today, and for all eternity. Prayerfully, if we slumber, then the Lord God – rich in mercy and goodness – will awaken us, and we shall set our face towards that heavenly Jerusalem as our Lord did 2,000 years ago. 

SCRIPTURE

Proverbs 24: 30-32

“I went by the field of the slothful, and by the vineyard of the man void of understanding; And, lo, it was all grown over with thorns, and nettles had covered the face thereof, and the stone wall thereof was broken down. Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep:”

THE FIELD OF THE SLOTHFUL
UNFOLDING FIFTEEN

In this second discourse, Pastor observes,

“Men generally learn wisdom if they have wisdom. The artist’s eye sees the beauty of the landscape because he has beauty in his mind. How true, and observant.”

Moreover, Pastor bids:

“We may find instruction everywhere. To a spiritual mind nettles have their use, and weeds have their doctrine. Are not all thorns and thistles meant to be teachers to sinful men?”

Now, up until this point in his discourse, Pastor hasn’t mentioned the slothful. He has spoken about men and how they learn, and how wise men learn wisdom in instruction for as Solomon said,

“I went by the field of the slothful, and by the vineyard of the man void of understanding… I saw, and considered it well, and looked upon it, and received instruction.”

Indeed, we may gather rare lessons from things we do not like to do because of the difficulty and pain. Many are stung by briars and nettles but few are taught of them. Some are hurt by briars, but here is one who was improved by them. Who are those who are improved? Pastor held Solomon in high esteem. 

Pastor wrote,

“I am glad to be told by Solomon so plainly that a slothful man is void of understanding, for it is useful information. I have met with persons who thought they perfectly understood the doctrines of grace, who could accurately set forth the election of the saints, the predestination of God, the firmness of the divine decree, the necessity of the Spirit’s work, and all the glorious doctrines of grace which build up the fabric of our faith, but these gentlemen have inferred from these doctrines that they have to do nothing, and thus they have become sluggards.”

There is much to be gleaned in Pastor’s discourse. Suffice it for him to write at the end,  

“As a rule, we may measure a man’s understanding by his useful activities; that is what the wise man very plainly tells us.”

THOUGHT GOING FORWARD

Pastor didn’t spend a lot of time speaking directly about the sluggard by name. He addressed the sluggard by his manner of thinking and lack of usefulness to the Kingdom of Grace. I have had very smug Christians question me regarding the doctrines of grace Pastor mentioned. Dear brothers, who held that men had freedom of the will, assailed me,

‘If God has predetermined whom He chose, why share the Gospel?’

On the other hand, I know dear brothers of the reformed faith (who believe in predestination) who did not share the Gospel for the same reason. I have been told God would draw His elect to Himself. The first group baited me for good humor. They themselves shared the Gospel hoping to win some for Christ as a matter of Christian argument in apologetics. As for the second, reform group? Sadly, they were slothful, adopting the argument – ‘Why share the Gospel?’ 

My opinion? I share the Gospel to serve my Lord to whatever end Father has deemed –  a sinner’s salvation or justice. I share the Word of God to serve Him. What a privilege!     

IN TRIBUTE TO SPURGEON’S LOVE OF SHORT RHYMES

T’is a privilege greatly honored
to share that Gospel truth, 
And to let the heavenly Father
bring home the living proof.