Proverbs 20:13
Love not sleep, lest thou come to poverty; open thine eyes, and thou shalt be satisfied with bread.
Proverbs 20:13 (KJV)
Context
The book of Proverbs is a collection of wise sayings attributed to King Solomon, who was known for his wisdom. Its purpose is to give practical guidance for living a righteous and prosperous life, grounded in the fear of the Lord and obedience to godly wisdom. This verse is a short wisdom saying that contrasts the sluggard with the diligent worker, a theme that appears often in Proverbs. The broader context consistently affirms that hard work is blessed while laziness brings ruin.
Meaning
The command “Love not sleep” is not a ban on rest. It warns against loving sleep too much, so that comfort and pleasure become more important than duty. Excessive sleep leads to idleness, and idleness leads to poverty. Poverty here means lack of provision, not just lack of money. The phrase “open thine eyes” calls for alertness and watchfulness. It means being awake to opportunities and responsibilities. The promise “thou shalt be satisfied with bread” shows that diligent work brings the basic necessities of life. Bread stands for daily food and the satisfaction of having one’s needs met. This proverb teaches that discipline and honest labor lead to provision, while sloth leads to lack.
Biblical connections
This proverb agrees with Proverbs 6:6-11, which points to the ant as a model of hard work and warns that sleep and folded hands bring poverty. That passage directly reinforces the same contrast between diligence and ruin. The teaching is consistent: God blesses honest labor, while laziness leads to lack. Rest is good, but it must not replace faithful work. The wisdom here is practical for daily Christian living, urging believers to be watchful and industrious, trusting God to provide for their needs as they faithfully fulfill their responsibilities.
Application
Diligence and productivity: Avoid laziness and complacency. Value hard work and responsible use of time and resources.
Seeking opportunities: Stay alert to chances for growth in work, relationships, and spiritual life. Open eyes see what closed eyes miss.
Contentment and provision: Diligence leads to satisfaction. True contentment includes trusting God to provide as we do our part.
Reflection
This verse invites honest self-examination. Do we love sleep more than our calling? Do we open our eyes to the work God has placed before us? The promise of bread is not a promise of wealth, but of enough. As we labor faithfully, we can trust God to supply our needs and give us peace.
