An employee or messenger who is known to be lazy and undependable will always give his employers cause to regret. Messages do not arrive on time or instructions are carelessly followed—if at all. In the end, the company and all involved are the losers. Proverbs 10:26 states: "As vinegar to the teeth and smoke to the eyes, so is the lazy man to those who send him." Bottom line—don’t choose a lazy person to do an important job.

We all have opportunities to serve either our employers or our friends and family. We can choose to serve with diligence and be fully reliable, or we can allow ourselves to become careless and disinterested. It is our personal reputation that really is at stake. Though we might cause concern and trouble to those who trust us, the final result will be a loss of that trust and a reputation for being unreliable. A good name is better than riches (Proverbs 22:1). It is our choice.