Proverbs 12:11

The point: Determine whether or not there's going to be plenty of bread out here in the winter, and what I do here will affect that there.

The analogy of a farmer plowing in spring to ensure bread in winter illustrates the long-term vision and cause-and-effect of diligent labor.

You're thinking down the road, if I'm going to have bread through the winter, my wife's got to have grain from which to make it. If there's going to be grain, there's got to be a harvest. If there's going to be a harvest, the stuff has to be planted, and if it's going to be planted, it's got to be plowed. So way back here in the spring, I'm determining whether or not there's going to be plenty of bread out here in the winter, and what I do here will affect that there. But when a man knows he ought to be out and be plowing, he gets the thought of, oh, man, the conditions are beautiful.

0:38 - 1:14 Read in full sermon

In this part of the sermon: Martin describes how a man might rationalize neglecting his duty (plowing) for immediate, seemingly good, but ultimately vain, diversions like fishing or hunting.

A man rationalizing going fishing for bass instead of plowing his field illustrates how immediate, seemingly good diversions can distract from essential, timely work.

I mean, I bet the bass are jumping down at the lake, and you know, I can always catch those fish and put them in the freezer, and they'll help with food. He can ride. He can rationalize. Oh, good.

1:15 - 1:27 Read in full sermon

In this part of the sermon: Martin describes how a man might rationalize neglecting his duty (plowing) for immediate, seemingly good, but ultimately vain, diversions like fishing or hunting.

The example of hunting season, where one must 'get them or you don't get them,' further illustrates how time-sensitive, yet ultimately vain, pursuits can pull one away from duty.

It's hunting time. It's hunting season. Certain things are, now you get them or you don't get them. He follows after things that are what?

1:27 - 1:34 Read in full sermon

The point: Teach our children that when they need to be studying that extra hour for that exam, when they need to be spending that extra half hour pulling weeds from the shrubs, that other task must be completed.

The example of children needing to study for an exam or pull weeds, but being tempted by a legitimate TV program, illustrates how even good things can be 'vain' when they distract from timely duty.

And we must teach our children that that's true. When they need to be studying that extra hour for that exam, when they need to be spending that extra half hour pulling weeds from the shrubs, and their favorite monitored TV program on that you and mom and dad have agreed is good for them to watch as a means of legitimate diversion, or perhaps a National Geographic nature film that would be good for their instruction and their appreciation. Of God's world, that's what would normally be there, but at this time that other task must be completed. You must teach them that to be even watching someth...

2:30 - 3:13 Read in full sermon