Proverbs 18:9

Whoever is slack in his work
is a brother to him who destroys.

The slacker destroys productivity. Products, service, goals are sacrificed. He destroys morale, as others are influenced to have the same attitude or frustrated so that they become less productive. He destroys teamwork, as others become not only angry with him but with supervisors for not managing him well. He destroys his own future, his laziness becoming the obstacle that he cannot get around.

But the problem of the slacker is that he does not recognize that he is one. He attributes his lack of productivity to others – to the bureaucracy he works under; to the supervisor who doesn’t manage well; to his colleagues who don’t understand how he works; to his parents for not raising him well; to his spouse who doesn’t appreciate him; to whomever he can remotely place blame.

He may even think that he is productive. He is pleased with his output, especially if he works with others who also have low productivity. That is why he and others are resentful of the worker who comes in and immediately out-performs them. His laziness is played out in different ways: he simply moves slowly; he is easily distracted; he is unmotivated and shows his disinterest; he enjoys talking; he may work busily but disorganized (too lazy to organize himself).

You are likely to be thinking of some lazy workers now. But be sure to examine yourself. Remember, the slacker’s problem is not recognizing his own laziness. Also examine how you are influenced by the slacker. Is he affecting the way you do your job. Are you blaming him for your poor attitude? Remember, the slacker is quick to blame others for his failings. Your Master for whom you work is Jesus Christ: “Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ (Colossians 3:23-24).