Are You Fulfilling Your Work?

“Like vinegar to the teeth and smoke to the eyes, so is the sluggard to those who send him.” (Proverbs 10:26)

Vinegar to the teeth and smoke to the eyes, are two unique comparisons. Why might Solomon use these? Consider the fact that he is trying to make you understand by attacking your senses. For example, vinegar to the teeth might create a sour, pungent, rather disgusting word association for you. Smoke in the eyes may remind you of irritability. When we are in heavily smoky areas, we feel a burning sensation in our eyes, and we blink continuously to try to curb the irritation. So, why is the sluggard like this to the one that sends him? Understand first, why are you sending someone? This may be an employee-employer relationship, or a child-parent relationship. Either way one is sending the other for the purpose that a task is accomplished. Understand second, why might the commissioner feel this way? The commissioner of this sluggard is simply disgusted and irritated with the lack of proper work ethic. This is something we can all understand. Whether it is as parents, employers, co-workers, or even delegators of the work in the church, we all have the expectation for work to be done in a timely manner. Do we work properly? Are you fulfilling the work of your commissioner? (Mark 16:15-16)