A young man was visiting his hometown. He drove around to see the changes that had happened in the past five years. As he drove, he was surprised to see a new bridge across a railway track. Excited, he drove fast and crashed on the railway track as the bridge was only constructed in parts. He was admitted to a hospital while the police filed a case against him for rash driving. There was no road block indicating that the bridge could not be used or any information board restricting access to the bridge.
The officials who were supposed to do this did their job with slackness or were negligent. Those who do their jobs, tasks, business, work, and roles with slackness are those who destroy and do not contribute. “Whoever is slack in his work, is a brother to him who destroys. (Proverbs 18:9)
1) Dignity of labour: When people do not have interest, satisfaction, and contentment in their job, they will be slack. For many, a job is a money-making activity, hence they do not apply their mind in their work. As the Lord saw what He created and said: ‘It is good,’ we should do well to appreciate it as good.
2) Lack of stewardship: The officials did not take responsibility for their work. Stewardship is taking responsibility, discharging assigned tasks, optimally using resources and accountable for the job.
3) Love your neighbour? The Royal teaches to love our neighbours. When we do a job, the beneficiaries are the neighbours. For the officers who constructed the bridge, the users of the bridge are their neighbours. If they had loved the neighbours, they would have done the job excellently well and would not have left it half-done, or without signboards.
Opposite of slackness is diligence, dutiful, devoted, and dedicated. A disciple is light and salt in his workplace when he excels in his/her work for the glory of God. Hence, not a destroyer but a contributor, builder, edifier and a blessing.
Am I engaged, enthusiastic and energetic in all I do?