Proverbs 6:10 says, “A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest, and poverty will come upon you like a robber, and want like an armed man.” This verse warns against laziness and a lackadaisical attitude that can lead to poverty.
To understand this verse fully, we need to look at the surrounding context. Proverbs 6 is part of a larger section (Proverbs 1-9) that contains many short, pithy sayings that teach wisdom for living well. In chapter 6 specifically, the topic is diligence and avoiding folly. Verses 6-8 use the example of the ant, which works hard gathering food in the summer to prepare for winter. Then verse 9 highlights the contrast – a lazy person who stays in bed rather than getting up to work. Verse 10 continues this theme by poetically describing how “a little sleep, a little slumber” leads step-by-step to poverty overwhelming a person “like a robber.”
There are a few key truths we can draw from this proverb:
- Laziness leads to poverty. The verse portrays sleep and rest as thieves that can rob a person of their livelihood and resources. The danger creeps up subtly (“a little sleep, a little slumber”), but the end result is dire. Hard work and diligence are contrasted as the path to provision and financial stability.
- Poverty can feel like an attack. The verbs used – “come upon you,” “robber,” “armed man” – convey the feeling of being ambushed and overwhelmed. The picture is of poverty cornering a person suddenly and forcibly once sloth has set in.
- Discipline and moderation are wise. Proverbs often advocates balance and moderation – not abstaining entirely from sleep and rest, but also not overindulging. Setting healthy boundaries on leisure is portrayed as the prudent course.
- Laziness is warned against frequently. Throughout Proverbs, there are multiple warnings against being lazy, sleeping too much, and not working diligently (10:4-5, 13:4, 19:15, 20:13, 24:30-34). Diligence and hard work are consistently lauded as virtuous.
- Wisdom literature uses poetic language. As part of the wisdom genre, Proverbs uses colorful imagery and metaphors to convey its truths. This includes personification (“poverty will come upon you”) and vivid word pictures (being robbed, ambushed). The language is not literal but symbolic.
In summary, this proverb uses exaggerated language to impress upon the reader the dangers of laziness leading to poverty. It advocates self-discipline and industriousness as the wise path that leads to prosperity and stability. This principle is echoed throughout Scripture, which consistently presents hard work as virtuous and slothfulness as unwise and destructive.
1. The Context of Proverbs 6:10
Proverbs 6:10 occurs within the larger context of the book of Proverbs, as well as chapter 6 specifically. Looking at the surrounding verses provides helpful background for properly understanding verse 10.
The book of Proverbs contains short, memorable sayings that impart wisdom for skillful living. These pithy sayings touch on many practical topics like work, money, relationships and character. Proverbs advocates for wisdom, righteousness, justice and virtue. It contrasts wisdom with foolishness, warning about behaviors and attitudes that lead to harm and destruction.
Chapters 1-9 form a section containing longer discourses about wisdom, introducing key themes for the rest of the book. Then chapters 10-29 contain individual proverbs on various subjects. Proverbs 6 falls within the opening discourses on wisdom.
The topic in chapter 6 is folly – specifically sexual temptation (verses 20-35) and laziness (verses 6-11). The passage on laziness begins by highlighting the hard-working ant as an example (vv. 6-8). Verses 9-10 then transition to the foolishness of sleeping rather than working, using vivid language to depict the poverty that results.
So verse 10 continues the theme of diligence versus slothfulness established in the surrounding context. It provides a motivational warning about where a lackadaisical life leads.
2. A Closer Look at the Imagery in Proverbs 6:10
Proverbs 6:10 utilizes vivid metaphorical language to underscore its message. Examining the imagery used can help unpack what the verse intends to communicate.
The verse depicts “a little sleep, a little slumber” as the first steps toward poverty. The repetition of “a little” implies that the danger doesn’t seem serious at first. Just a short nap, just a brief rest – but over time, these little indulgences lead down an increasingly perilous path.
Sleep and slumber are personified as thieves – first a “robber” who stealthily takes away a person’s financial stability, then “an armed man” who forcefully invades and conquers. These metaphors convey how poverty can creep up unnoticed and then overwhelm a person suddenly. It creates a sense of being ambushed and overpowered.
Robbers and armed assailants were greatly feared in ancient agrarian societies. The verse draws on this fear of being robbed of one’s livelihood. Poverty is portrayed as an enemy attacking a defenseless victim. The point is to instill a healthy dread of potential disaster if one is not diligently working.
The exaggerated metaphors underscore the seriousness of the danger. Of course, a single nap won’t directly cause impoverishment. But verses like this use dramatic language to emphasize that over time, lackadaisical habits can stack up with sobering consequences. The imagery conveys urgency to avoid heading down that path in the first place.
3. The Virtue of Diligence in Proverbs
Throughout the book of Proverbs, diligence, hard work and discipline are consistently upheld as virtuous qualities that lead to prosperity, while laziness is portrayed as morally dangerous and foolish.
Here are some other examples from Proverbs that extol diligence and condemn slothfulness:
The hand of the diligent will rule, while the slothful will be put to forced labor (Proverbs 12:24).
The soul of a sluggard craves and gets nothing, while the soul of the diligent is richly supplied (Proverbs 13:4).
The sluggard does not plow in the autumn; he will seek at harvest and have nothing (Proverbs 20:4).
In addition to direct statements, Proverbs uses images to convey this message. The ant provides a picture of foresight and hard work in summer to prepare for winter (6:6-8; 30:25). Vineyards and farms illustrate that diligent labor leads to abundant food (Proverbs 27:23-27).
These verses portray material provision as the natural result of sustained effort and diligence. In general, Proverbs advocates balanced moderation – rest is good, but excessive sloth is dangerous. Hard work is held up as a moral virtue that the wise person cultivates.
While poverty has many causes, Proverbs suggests that often (though not always) it results from moral failure over time. In this worldview, diligence leads to prosperity as a natural consequence of virtue. Laziness is seen as not just unwise but also wicked, reflecting a defective character that leads to ruin.
4. Diligence in the Rest of Scripture
The virtue of diligence and danger of laziness are themes that appear not only in Proverbs but throughout the rest of Scripture as well.
The Apostle Paul often emphasizes the importance of working diligently and warns against idle habits:
For even when we were with you, we would give you this command: If anyone is not willing to work, let him not eat (2 Thessalonians 3:10).
Paul cautions that those unwilling to work should face consequences, and he set an example of diligent labor:
We hear that some among you walk in idleness, not busy at work…For you yourselves know how you ought to imitate us…with toil and labor we worked night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you (2 Thessalonians 3:11-13).
Likewise, Jesus’s parable of the talents illustrates that those who diligently utilize their master’s resources are rewarded, while the lazy servant who buried his talent is cast out (Matthew 25:14-30).
Colossians 3:23 also reminds believers, “Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men.” Working with enthusiasm and dedication is portrayed as a virtue.
While the Bible does not assert wealth as an absolute good, it consistently upholds diligence, moderation and judicious use of one’s time and resources as wise, virtuous qualities that tend to produce good outcomes.
5. Balancing Diligence with Rest
While emphasizing diligence, the Bible also commends proper rest as wise. Extreme work without any leisure is portrayed as unbalanced and unwise.
The fourth commandment mandated a Sabbath day of rest from work each week for recuperation and worship (Exodus 20:8-11). Jesus also modeled withdrawing from work for periods of rest and spiritual rejuvenation (Mark 1:35, 6:31).
Proverbs itself states that leisure and sleep, in moderation, are good:
Sweet is the sleep of a laborer…
The sleep of a laboring man is sweet…
The Preacher in Ecclesiastes also warns against constant work without enjoyment:
There is nothing better for a person than that he should eat and drink and find enjoyment in his toil…I have seen that there is nothing better than that a man should rejoice in his work (Ecclesiastes 2:24; 3:22).
So Scripture commends diligence but not complete self-denial of recreation and renewal. Finding a healthy, sustainable rhythm of work and rest is upheld as wise.
6. Working for Eternal Purposes
While Proverbs highlights the earthly benefits of diligence, the New Testament shifts the focus to working with eternity in mind. Our labor has meaning beyond just provision in this life.
Paul instructs, “Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ” (Colossians 3:23-24). Our work now stores up eternal treasure (Matthew 6:19-21).
Ephesians 2:10 says believers are “created in Christ Jesus for good works.” Our salvation is for the purpose of doing the good works God prepared for us. Work is redeemed as a means of living out our calling.
1 Corinthians 15:58 commands, “Be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.” Our work has lasting impact when done for God’s glory.
So Scripture places great value on diligent work – but with the motivation shifted to eternal rewards and God’s purposes. Wise effort in this life is a virtue, but only when anchored to the eternal perspective.
7. Trusting God’s Provision
Diligence and labor are clearly biblical virtues. However, Scripture balances this with trust in God’s ultimate provision – recognizing that our work alone does not determine outcomes.
The book of Proverbs, while emphasizing effort, also states:
The horse is made ready for the day of battle, but the victory belongs to the Lord (Proverbs 21:31).
We work and plan diligently, yet the results are in God’s hands. Similarly, Psalm 127:1-2 declares:
Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labor in vain…It is in vain that you rise up early and go late to rest, eating the bread of anxious toil.
Our success comes from the Lord, no matter how hard we work. We see this truth in the New Testament as well. Paul says, “I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth” (1 Corinthians 3:6).
So Proverbs warns against laziness, but is balanced by trust in God’s control. Diligence does not guarantee results, but is wise stewardship of the time and talents God provides. Scripture calls us to work responsibly and trust God faithfully.
8. Avoiding the Prosperity Gospel Extreme
While connecting diligence and prosperity, Proverbs does not promise wealth as an absolute result of labor. This biblical principle is sometimes distorted into the unbiblical “prosperity gospel” – the teaching that faithfulness guarantees health and wealth in this life.
Proverbs describes general principles, not ironclad laws. Many other factors can contribute to poverty and affliction besides laziness – from injustice, calamity and oppression, to the fallen world’s brokenness.
Ecclesiastes and Job especially highlight this complexity. The Preacher observes injustice and inexplicable suffering (Ecclesiastes 4:1, 8:14). Job’s friends assume his trials must be due to sin, but God rebukes them for being presumptuous (Job 42:7).
The New Testament also makes clear that wealth is not an absolute marker of righteousness or favor from God. Rather than promising earthly prosperity, Jesus blesses the poor as recipients of the kingdom (Luke 6:20). And James warns the rich that their wealth will wither away (James 1:10-11; 5:1-6).
So we should avoid the unnuanced “prosperity gospel” view of wealth and poverty. Diligence alone does not guarantee blessings or exemptions from trials. Proverbs gives wise principles, not absolute formulas.
9. Laziness and Moral Failure
Proverbs connects laziness to moral and character failure. But we should be cautious about making absolute judgments on those facing poverty.
Many factors can lead to poverty beyond an individual’s control. And poverty itself can trap people in cycles where improving one’s situation takes enormous effort. So we should avoid blanket judgments.
Proverbs uses dramatic language to motivate its audience toward diligence. But the epistles instruct Christians to help bear others’ burdens (Galatians 6:2), being generous to the poor (2 Corinthians 8-9) and showing compassion to those in need (1 John 3:17).
So Proverbs warns and instructs about the wise path, but the New Testament adds the perspective of grace when dealing with those currently in poverty or affliction. Christians should avoid prideful judgment of others’ situations (James 4:11-12).
10. A Call to Responsible Living
Proverbs 6:10, while using exaggerated metaphors, conveys an important principle – lazy habits tend to lead to negative consequences, while diligence and self-control are more likely to produce good outcomes.
This verse, and the larger book of Proverbs, call God’s people to live responsibly and avoid folly. Wisdom literature communicates general patterns to equip people for skillful living.
In the end, Proverbs 6:10 contains a vivid warning to instill values of discipline, moderation and diligent work that will tend to yield positive results – urging listeners to carefully consider their habits and trajectory.
Pairing this wisdom with dependence on God’s provision, grace for those struggling, and finding balance in rest, believers can apply Proverbs 6:10 in a way that honors the full biblical witness – pursuing wisdom while trusting ultimately in God’s care and sovereignty.