Introduction
Before getting into the meaning of Proverbs 12:27, here’s different Bible translations:
King James Version
The slothful man roasteth not that which he took in hunting: but the substance of a diligent man is precious.
American Standard Version
The slothful man roasteth not that which he took in hunting; But the precious substance of men [is to] the diligent.
World English Bible version
The slothful man doesn't roast his game, but the possessions of diligent men are prized.
Proverbs 12:27 Meaning & Commentary
Whoever is slothful will not roast his game, but the diligent man will get precious wealth. Proverbs 12:27 (ESV)
The Bible contrasts two sets of people here: a slothful person and a diligent person. Let’s look at the slothful person first.
The Bible says a slothful person “will not roast his game.” What does this mean? Game refers to something which is hunted, such as an animal. The times we live in are different from Bible times, yet there are still many practical applications which we can learn from. We are all, in a sense, “hunting” things in our lives. We can call these our goals, vision, dreams, and desires.
Everyone desires better or more in life. As we hunt down our goals and dreams, slothfulness will not get the job done! Roasting (or cooking) our game is the last step after we hunt down and capture what we are after. It takes persistence, tenacity, and consistency to hunt down what we want in life.
Slothfulness can be defined as laziness, sluggishness, or lethargy. These character qualities will not get the job done when chasing down God’s vision for our lives! Diligence, on the other hand, is the quality of character we need. Diligence refers to focus, consistency, and the ability to stick with something UNTIL it is accomplished.
Wealth (in its various forms) does not just come to us and fall into our laps – we have to fight for it and go after it. We may need to stand against resistance and press ahead despite the opposition: Colossians 1:29 For this I toil, struggling with all his energy that he powerfully works within me. Paul The Apostle exhibited this quality – he toiled and struggled in life, but not in his own strength – he did so using God’s strength and power.
Life is not easy – it is a struggle or a “good fight,” as The Bible calls it, but it is worth fighting for, and it takes diligence and persistence to inherit everything God has for us!
Application
How can we practically apply Proverbs 12:27 to our lives?
We can use Proverbs 12:27 as a principle to not only get what we want, in terms of material wealth – but also a key as to how to inherit the promises of God for our lives. The Bible tells us that we need to imitate those who inherited the promises of God through faith and patience inherited the promises of God: Hebrews 6:12 so that you may not be sluggish, but imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.
Faith and patience are intertwined with diligence. Diligence is not a once-off act but rather an ongoing “disposition” of being steady and consistent in the things of God. We need to be diligent, careful, and faithful to obey God’s commands, which are found in His written word, The Bible: Deuteronomy 28:1 And if you faithfully obey the voice of the Lord your God, being careful to do all his commandments that I command you today, the Lord your God will set you high above all the nations of the earth.
The Bible is God’s standard for living the Christian life and walking out purpose on earth: 2 Timothy 3:16 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness. As we take in God’s Word and store it in our hearts, we must diligently apply it to our lives. Whether it is God’s principles for finances, God’s principles for relationships, or anything else.
God’s Word works, but it takes diligence, faith, and patience to stick with it until we begin to see God’s promises starting to unfold in our lives. We should not entertain any form of slothfulness or apathy, as this will cause us to miss out on God’s promises over our lives!
Prayer
Heavenly Father, I thank You for Your Word, which is my standard of living. I desire to imitate the great heroes of faith who have gone before us and inherit your promises through faith and endurance.
As I diligently follow and apply your word to my life, help me to remain steadfast and immovable. As I do this, I thank You that it is just a matter of time before I attain your promises for my life. I thank You for this in Jesus’ name. Amen!
