What does Proverbs 24:33 mean?

The godly wisdom presented in the book of proverbs warns about the dangers of laziness. This is sometimes presented using the imagery of sleeping: implying those who lay in bed rather than getting up and doing their work (Proverbs 6:9–11; 10:5; 19:15). According to Solomon, one way to lose everything while gaining nothing is to get comfortable with laziness.

Scripture does not endorse the "workaholic" attitude: the person who rejects rest and self-care in a misguided effort to be responsible (Psalm 3:5; Proverbs 3:24; 19:23). However, the Bible clearly states that choosing not to work, at all, or to be lazy, are both sinful. Many people would prefer to stay in bed a little longer in the morning than to go to work, but a sense of responsibility to pay the bills and keep a roof over their heads motivates them to "rise and shine." A proper amount of sleep prepares a person for work, but too much sleep makes him indolent and unwilling to work. Proverbs 20:13 warns: "Love not sleep, lest you come to poverty; open your eyes, and you will have plenty of bread."

There is a spiritual component to our need for an excellent work ethic. We have work to do fulfilling the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19–20); we should be alert to that task instead of "sleeping" on the job. Romans 13:11 counsels, "Besides this you know the time, that the hour has come for you to wake from sleep. For salvation is nearer to us now than when we first believed."

This statement is identical to Proverbs 6:10.