Our wisdom for today is taken from Proverbs 6:9 -11.
“How long will you lie there, O sluggard? When will you arise from your sleep? A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest, and poverty will come upon you like a robber, and want like an armed man.”
Benjamin Franklin echoed this sentiment when he wrote, “Watch the little things; a small leak will sink a great ship.”
In these verses, we are reminded of the powerful impact of seemingly insignificant actions. The writer of Proverbs warns us about the consequences of small, lazy habits. A little sleep and a little slumber, while appearing harmless, can lead to a cascade of negative outcomes. Much like a minor leak can eventually sink a ship, small acts of negligence can lead to significant downfalls.
To put this in perspective, On January 28, 1986, the Challenger disaster resulted in the loss of seven people and a $3.2 billion spacecraft. On liftoff the O-rings became brittle, allowing a catastrophic explosion. The O-rings cost would have only been a few dollars to fix.
Just as the failure of a small O-ring led to a massive disaster, so too can small acts of negligence in our daily lives lead to significant downfalls. By staying vigilant and diligent, we can prevent the “robber” of poverty and want from overtaking us. It’s a call to embrace discipline and diligence in all aspects of our lives, recognizing that little things indeed mean a lot.
I’m Lonnie Davis
And these are thoughts worth thinking.