I’ve been going through the book of Proverbs again, as I used to go through it once a year and was recently reminded of the wisdom in it. Since I’ve been asking God for wisdom on a few things I’ve been working on, I thought I’d start up again.
“Do not love sleep, or you will grow poor; stay awake and you will have food to spare.” Proverbs 20:13
I believe the word sleep in this proverb goes far beyond the physical act of resting. It can also represent wasted time, distraction, or a lack of intentionality.
For me, “sleep” can look like watching too much television, scrolling endlessly on my phone, or oversleeping and missing my morning routine. It shows up when I get distracted from what I said I was going to do, when I abandon a plan, or when I choose comfort over discipline.
Spiritually, sleep can mean closing our eyes to what is happening around us. Ignoring warning signs. Avoiding hard truths. Choosing not to see what God may be revealing. The proverb warns us plainly: stay awake. Don’t stop paying attention. Don’t disengage from your own life.
Staying awake also applies to our finances, our businesses, and our goals. It means checking in regularly, being honest about what’s working and what isn’t, and making adjustments instead of drifting. It means being present with our families, nurturing relationships, and not assuming that things will take care of themselves.
To stay awake is to remain intentional. To keep working. To keep learning. To keep your eyes on the target.
Because awareness, paired with action, is what leads to abundance—not just financially, but in every area of life.
Is there something you’ve been asleep to that needs your attention?