Whoever is slack in his work
is a brother to him who destroys.
The name of the Lord is a strong tower;
the righteous man runs into it and is safe.
A rich man's wealth is his strong city,
and like a high wall in his imagination.
Before destruction a man's heart is haughty,
but humility comes before honour.
If one gives an answer before he hears,
it is his folly and shame.Proverbs 18:9-13
'Waster' in 9 has the sense of 'destroyer', and the challenging thought of the verse is that slackness in work is akin to destroying it. Not to bother oneself about the tasks that need to be done, through laziness or neglect, can do as much harm as doing positive injury to a work. This must surely have something to say in the context of the ongoing work of a congregation. The greatest damage the Church suffers is done not so much by those who are active destroyers as by those who simply neglect things. Two different kinds of security are contrasted in 10 and 11, and pose the question. Which would we rather be, a man of God or a man of property? The rich farmer in Luke 12:16-21 gives a graphic illustration of the 'conceit' mentioned in 11, not to say the self-deceit practised by all who seek refuge and security in material riches, which are uncertain indeed (1 Timothy 6:17). For the thought expressed in 12, see 16:18, 19. A good illustration of the first part of the verse is found in 2 Chronicles 26:36, in the story of Uzziah and of the second part in 2 Chronicles 27:6, in that of Jotham. Jumping to conclusions, through rash, ill-considered judgment (13) can lead to endless trouble and embarrassment. It can also make us look very foolish. We are all too prone, on occasion, to do this, and need this salutary reminder, along with the similar comment in 17.