Proverbs 10:5 (ESV)
He who gathers in summer is a prudent son,
but he who sleeps in harvest is a son who brings shame.
Being industrious and productive is rewarded by God. God put man in the garden to "keep" the garden. When man sinned, the penalty, along with loss of possession of the garden, was that his "keeping" the garden would turn to "working" the garden. There is a difference. In Ecclesiastes we see that enjoyment of our work is a "gift" of God - that is because only God can take the penalty He gave Adam (and all mankind) and turn it into a gift.
Ecclesiastes 3:9-12 (ESV)
What gain has the worker from his toil? I have seen the business that God has given to the children of man to be busy with. He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also, he has put eternity into man's heart, yet so that he cannot find out what God has done from the beginning to the end. I perceived that there is nothing better for them than to be joyful and to do good as long as they live;
In the above proverb God is further telling us about His view of labor vs. leisure. Our society is bent on leisure. As I write this I am also watching a football game at Buffalo Wild Wings (it’s half-time). This is an entire restaurant dedicated to games and leisure. God isn't against leisure, however. What this proverb is telling us is that the time for harvest calls for work. If you take your nap during times of harvest you are shameful. God wants us to fulfill what His purpose is for us. We can enjoy leisure but we must gather when we are called to gather. And, we should gather even when it is not time. The first line of the proverb tells us we are wise if we "gather" in the summer. That is actually before the harvest. Typically we are not “gathering” in the summer. We gather in the fall. So, Solomon is telling us that God rewards those who are diligent to work and gather, even when the time says go ahead and relax. That is wisdom. But don't sleep when you must work. That is shameful.
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