What Does the Bible Say About Procrastination?

1. #1Proverbs 13:4

   The soul of the sluggard desireth, and hath nothing: but the soul of the diligent shall be made fat.

   BSBThe slacker craves yet has nothing, but the soul of the diligent is fully satisfied.

2. #21 Peter 5:7

   Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.

   BSBCast all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you.

3. #3Ephesians 5:15-17

   See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, Redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is.

   BSBPay careful attention, then, to how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is.

4. #4Proverbs 12:24

   The hand of the diligent shall bear rule: but the slothful shall be under tribute.

   BSBThe hand of the diligent will rule, but laziness ends in forced labor.

5. #5Proverbs 20:4

   The sluggard will not plow by reason of the cold; therefore shall he beg in harvest, and have nothing.

   BSBThe slacker does not plow in season; at harvest time he looks, but nothing is there.

6. #6Proverbs 27:1

   Boast not thyself of to morrow; for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth.

   BSBDo not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring.

7. #7James 4:17

   Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.

   BSBAnyone, then, who knows the right thing to do, yet fails to do it, is guilty of sin.

8. #8Luke 9:59-62

   And he said unto another, Follow me. But he said, Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father. Jesus said unto him, Let the dead bury their dead: but go thou and preach the kingdom of God. And another also said, Lord, I will follow thee; but let me first go bid them farewell, which are at home at my house. And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.

   BSBThen He said to another man, “Follow Me.” The man replied, “Lord, first let me go and bury my father.” But Jesus told him, “Let the dead bury their own dead. You, however, go and proclaim the kingdom of God.” Still another said, “I will follow You, Lord; but first let me bid farewell to my family.” Then Jesus declared, “No one who puts his hand to the plow and then looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.”

9. #9Philippians 4:13

   I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

   BSBI can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.

10. #10Hebrews 12:11

    Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.

    BSBNo discipline seems enjoyable at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it yields a harvest of righteousness and peace to those who have been trained by it.

11. #11Matthew 6:33

    But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

    BSBBut seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added unto you.

12. #12Proverbs 12:25

    Heaviness in the heart of man maketh it stoop: but a good word maketh it glad.

    BSBAnxiety weighs down the heart of a man, but a good word cheers it up.

13. #13John 9:4

    I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work.

    BSBWhile it is daytime, we must do the works of Him who sent Me. Night is coming, when no one can work.

14. #14Luke 12:40

    Be ye therefore ready also: for the Son of man cometh at an hour when ye think not.

    BSBYou also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour you do not expect.”

15. #15Luke 12:35

    Let your loins be girded about, and your lights burning;

    BSBBe dressed for service and keep your lamps burning.

16. #16Ecclesiastes 11:4

    He that observeth the wind shall not sow; and he that regardeth the clouds shall not reap.

    BSBHe who watches the wind will fail to sow, and he who observes the clouds will fail to reap.

17. #17Ecclesiastes 9:10

    Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest.

    BSBWhatever you find to do with your hands, do it with all your might, for in Sheol, where you are going, there is no work or planning or knowledge or wisdom.

18. #18Proverbs 14:23

    In all labour there is profit: but the talk of the lips tendeth only to penury.

    BSBThere is profit in all labor, but mere talk leads only to poverty.

Verse rankings: OpenBible.info Topical Bible (CC BY). Scripture: KJV & BSB (public domain).

Procrastination in Nave's Topical Bible

Procrastination in Torrey's Topical Textbook

Related topics

• Lack of Motivation
• Laziness
• Hard Work
• Working Hard
• Work Hard
• Lazy People
• Worry
• Sloth
• Not Working
• Work Ethic