For we hear that there are some who walk among you in a disorderly manner, not working at all, but are busybodies.
2 Thessalonians 3:11 NKJV
My mother and my grandmother used to often tell me, “Idle hands are the devil’s workshop”. This phrase is not found in the Bible, but our Scripture passage for today is pretty close to it. The Bible does, however, have a lot to say about being lazy.
As Christians, we should have very little time to be lazy. First, we should be going about doing God’s work. By this, I mean we should be doing what God has called us to do. I’m not only speaking of your chosen profession. I’m speaking of how you act in your everyday life.
I’m talking about how you speak, how you dress, how you present yourself and how you treat others. This should all be a reflection of your devotion to Christ. 1 Corinthians 15:58 says, “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.”
Secondly, there is the day to day work which is necessary for survival. We must instill a good work ethic in our children. The best way to do this is for them to see us work. They have a responsibility to go to school and do their work. If we want them to become productive members of society, they must have age appropriate responsibilities.
We must learn to use our time wisely. Ecclesiastes 5:15-16 says, “Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil.”
We must never be lazy. Proverbs 19:15 says, “Slothfulness casts into a deep sleep, and an idle person will suffer hunger.” Ecclesiastes 10:18 says, “Through sloth the roof sinks in, and through indolence the house leaks.”
The Bible warns in Proverbs that laziness causes poverty. Proverbs 10:4 says, “A slack hand causes poverty, but the hand of the diligent makes rich.” 12:24 says, “The hand of the diligent will rule, while the slothful will be put to forced labor.”
Proverbs 13:4 says, “The soul of the sluggard craves and gets nothing, while the soul of the diligent is richly supplied.” Proverbs 10:5 says, “He who gathers in summer is a prudent son, but he who sleeps in harvest is a son who brings shame.”
Proverbs 31 speaks of the woman who works diligently at taking care of her family and her home.
If you are reading this and saying, “I’m just a housewife”, read Proverbs 31 and you will see that moms and housewives work just as hard or harder in the home than many do out in the workforce.
Proverbs 15:19 says, “The way of a sluggard is like a hedge of thorns, but the path of the upright is a level highway.”
We are put on this planet to be in close fellowship with God and to do the work He has called us to do. Even if we don’t have a job, there is still plenty of work for us to do.
No good comes from laziness. If you have found yourself in a rut and are not doing the work God has called you to do, you are leaving yourself open for the devil’s temptation. Turn to God ask Him to help you to not be lazy and to do the work He wants you to do.
It is said if you love what you do, you never work a day in your life. My prayer for you today is that your work is something you enjoy doing. I also pray that whatever your job may be you will honor God and give Him glory and praise as you go about your workday.
Have a great day!