Brother to Destruction

There are people who are busy. There are busybodies. And then there are people who work.

Work is good. Work is generally productive. Work is most often tiring.

Many people naturally equate ‘work’ with physical effort, maybe some grunting and huffing and puffing, and weary muscles at the end of the day. Of course, not all work wears a person out physically. Some work is mentally exhausting. ‘Work’ is a broad term that describes human effort to accomplish things. Sometimes, our ‘play’ involves work.

We all have our opinions about ‘my’ work, ‘their’ work, and all the things that people call work that aren’t work at all. Set you opinions aside for a moment and listen to Solomon. He wrote something quite practical.

He also who is slack in his work

Is brother to him who destroys.

—Proverbs 18:9

I think the proverb speaks for itself, but if not, re-read the proverb and then pause...think of the results.

• What is the result of the one who is slack in his work?
• What is the result of the one who destroys?

Solomon presents us with a fact about work. He approaches the fact from a negative standpoint but makes no judgment, offers no admonition, and gives no advice. He just leaves it out there for you and me to consider.

I suppose someone might want to contest Solomon’s conclusion. Someone else might want to issue a personal declaration justifying their work or lack of it. Surely someone will quip in agreement, “Well, isn't that the truth!”

Solomon doesn’t target anyone in particular. Again, he just leaves this truth out there for us to consider.

I immediately thought about a few lingering projects at my house. I pictured the ‘unfinished’ work and then recognized that while it is unfinished, it looks similar to destruction. I can rationalize that it is a ‘work in progress.’ But to be honest, I’ve been ‘slack in my work’ on those projects.

Now I have a choice.

As with other proverbs, do you see how this proverb works?

Solomon did not tell his reader what to do. He simply helps his reader face a truth in life. For this proverb, it doesn’t matter if you are a Christian or a criminal. You must decide what you will do with the truth presented.

It is the kind of proverb that motivates me to do better. And it also reminds me of some other teachings about work in the Bible. Consider…

If anyone is not willing to work, then he is not to eat, either. 

(The full passage in 2 Thessalonians 3:10-12 is quite interesting.)

Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life and attend to your own business and work with your hands, just as we commanded you, so that you will behave properly toward outsiders and not be in any need. 

--1 Thessalonians 4:11-12

He who steals must steal no longer; but rather he must labor, performing with his own hands what is good, so that he will have something to share with the one who has need.

--Ephesians 4:28

God expects His people to work so that they are not a burden on others but rather, so they can help others. So, don’t be a slacker. Be wise.

Mark Stinnett

January 18, 2026