Between binge watching TV, scrolling social media, getting sucked into computer and video games, and sometimes sleeping half the day away, many of us are finding it more and more difficult to work up the motivation to tackle our to-do lists.
From a biblical perspective, it’s important to learn how to rest regularly. After all, even God Himself rested on the seventh day and Jesus said we should lay our burdens on Him!
But the Bible also has a lot to say about taking it too easy, especially when there’s work hanging over our heads. So…what exactly does it say about laziness in the Bible?
Biblical Perspectives on Laziness
The Bible repeatedly warns against laziness and encourages hard work. It demonstrates through both parables and direct warnings how being idle can lead to poverty and other problems.
Let’s take a look at what Scripture has to say on this topic.
Roots of Laziness in Scripture
The book of Proverbs talks a lot about laziness, often using the image of a sluggard who loves sleep too much. Consider Proverbs 6:6-11:
Go to the ant, o sluggard; consider its ways and be wise! It has no commander, no overseer or ruler, yet it stores its provisions in summer and gathers its food at harvest. How long will you lie there, you sluggard? When will you get up from your sleep? A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest—and poverty will come on you like a thief and scarcity like an armed man.
God created work as a part of His plan for humans. That means that when we avoid work, we go against this plan.
The Bible views laziness as more than just a bad habit or a lack of motivation. From a biblical perspective, laziness is actually a form of disobedience to God.
Consequences of Slothfulness
Perhaps one of the biggest reasons God warns us about laziness is that being lazy can hurt us in many different ways.
The Bible says a lazy person might become poor or even go hungry. One example can be found in Proverbs 19:15:
Laziness brings on deep sleep, and the shiftless go hungry.
In another translation, this verse warns that when you’re a lazy person, you “sleep your life away.” This isn’t just referring to physical sleep, but also missing out on the best parts of life.
In another warning in Matthew 25:14-30, Jesus told a story about a “slothful servant” who buried his master’s money instead of using it:
“Again, it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted his wealth to them. To one he gave five bags of gold, to another two bags, and to another one bag, each according to his ability. Then he went on his journey. The man who had received five bags of gold went at once and put his money to work and gained five bags more. So also, the one with two bags of gold gained two more. But the man who had received one bag went off, dug a hole in the ground and hid his master’s money.
“After a long time the master of those servants returned and settled accounts with them. The man who had received five bags of gold brought the other five. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘you entrusted me with five bags of gold. See, I have gained five more.’
“His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’
“The man with two bags of gold also came. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘you entrusted me with two bags of gold; see, I have gained two more.’
“His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’
“Then the man who had received one bag of gold came. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘I knew that you are a hard man, harvesting where you have not sown and gathering where you have not scattered seed. So I was afraid and went out and hid your gold in the ground. See, here is what belongs to you.’
“His master replied, ‘You wicked, lazy servant! So you knew that I harvest where I have not sown and gather where I have not scattered seed? Well then, you should have put my money on deposit with the bankers, so that when I returned I would have received it back with interest.
“‘So take the bag of gold from him and give it to the one who has ten bags. For whoever has will be given more, and they will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what they have will be taken from them. And throw that worthless servant outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’”
This story demonstrates how laziness can waste the gifts God has given you.
When you’re lazy, you might:
- Miss chances to help others
- Fail to use your talents
- Let your home or work suffer
It also teaches that when you work hard, you’ll be rewarded. But if you’re a lazy person, you might lose what little you have.
The overarching message about laziness in the Bible is that hard work brings good things. It helps you, your family, and your community.
Portraits of Sluggards and Hard Workers
Bible verses offer countless portraits of both the lazy servant and the servant invested in honest work to teach us about the importance of hard work. These examples demonstrate how hard work pays off and being lazy leads to trouble.
Portraits of the Diligent and the Slothful
Proverbs 10:4:
Lazy hands make for poverty, but diligent hands bring wealth.
Proverbs 10:5:
He who gathers crops in summer is a prudent son, but he who sleeps during harvest is a disgraceful son.
Proverbs 12:11:
Those who work their land will have abundant food, but those who chase fantasies have no sense.
Proverbs 12:24:
Diligent hands will rule, but laziness ends in forced labor.
Proverbs 13:4:
A sluggard’s appetite is never filled, but the desires of the diligent are fully satisfied.
Proverbs 14:23:
All hard work brings a profit, but mere talk leads only to poverty.
Proverbs 20:4:
Sluggards do not plow in season; so at harvest time they look but find nothing.
Proverbs 24:30-34:
I went past the field of a sluggard, past the vineyard of someone who has no sense; thorns had come up everywhere, the ground was covered with weeds, and the stone wall was in ruins. I applied my heart to what I observed and learned a lesson from what I saw: A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest—and poverty will come on you like a thief and scarcity like an armed man.
Proverbs 26:15:
A sluggard buries his hand in the dish; he is too lazy to bring it back to his mouth.
Theological Insights on Idleness
The Bible has a lot to say about being lazy, warning against wasting time and not using your talents. Let’s look at how idleness affects our faith and why intentions matter in Christian action.
Idleness and Its Impacts on Faith
Being idle can hinder or even hurt your faith. After all, when you’re not active, you might miss chances to grow spiritually.
2 Thessalonians 3:11 calls out the “idle person” who does not participate in diligent work but is still divinely inclined to work:
For we hear that some among you walk in idleness, not busy at work, but busybodies.
You were created to do good works and so will naturally seek out activity. When you’re not invested in the good works God has called you to, you may find yourself instead invested in idle chatter (gossip) or even meddling in others’ honest work.
Countless Bible verses in Proverbs also warn us that laziness leads to poverty. While it is certainly a warning against financial poverty, many biblical scholars also consider it a warning that your faith can become “poor” as well.
“Idle chatter” and “mere talk” also come with consequences, as addressed in Proverbs 14:23:
In all labor there is profit, But idle chatter leads only to poverty.
James 1:22 agrees:
Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.
Both of these Bible verses mean that you shouldn’t just talk about the things you should do or intend to do, but actually do and act on those things.
Role of Intention in Christian Action
God’s Word not only calls us into honest work but also reminds us that our intentions matter in how we live out our faith. It’s not just about being invested in diligent work, but about doing things for the right reasons.
Apostle Paul offers some guidance on this topic in 2 Thessalonians 3:6–12:
Now we command you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you keep away from any brother who is walking in idleness and not in accord with the tradition that you received from us.
For you yourselves know how you ought to imitate us, because we were not idle when we were with you, nor did we eat anyone’s bread without paying for it, but with toil and labor we worked night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you. It was not because we do not have that right, but to give you in ourselves an example to imitate.
For even when we were with you, we would give you this command: If anyone is not willing to work, let him not eat. For we hear that some among you walk in idleness, not busy at work, but busybodies. Now such persons we command and encourage in the Lord Jesus Christ to do their work quietly and to earn their own living.
These Bible verses demonstrate that working hard with the right heart is an expectation for Christians. And it’s not only about working hard enough to put food on the table, but also working hard in developing and using the talents God has given you, serving others, studying the Bible, praying, and more.
Guidance for the Christian Life
The Bible offers clear direction for Christians to work hard and avoid laziness. It encourages us to live productively and honor God through our efforts.
Living by Example
You can set a good example for others by working hard.
The Lord Christ Jesus modeled diligence in His earthly ministry, always about His Father’s business. You can follow His lead.
Wake up early to pray and study scripture.
Use your time wisely during the day, avoiding time sucks like social media and TV when possible. And make regular time to serve others!
As noted above, the Apostle Paul encourages us to work quietly and earn our own living.
Doing our fair share to help support ourselves and our family honors God and avoids our becoming a burden to others. It also puts us in a better position financially to help those in need.
Emulating the Work of Apostles
The apostles in the New Testament set a powerful example of dedication to the work of the Lord.
Paul, for example, worked as a tentmaker to support his ministry. He didn’t want to be a financial burden on new churches.
You can follow their model by:
- Working hard at your job or studies
- Using your skills to serve in your church
- Sharing the gospel with others
The apostles faced many hardships but persevered for the sake of completing the good works assigned to them by Christ Jesus. Let their endurance inspire you when you feel tired or discouraged in your work.
Practical Lessons Against Laziness
But all of this is easier said than done, right? Sometimes it’s hard to get started on the things we know we need to do.
Thankfully, the Bible offers valuable wisdom to help us overcome laziness. Let’s explore how to apply these teachings and stay active in our daily lives.
Applying Proverbs to Everyday Life
Proverbs 22:13 warns against making excuses for ourselves:
The sluggard says, “There is a lion outside! I shall be killed in the streets!”
While we might not claim lions in the streets, we may say we’re too tired or not in the right headspace to start our work. We can also use the circumstances that complicate our lives and/or limit us (demanding jobs, demanding families, even chronic illness) to excuse us from doing any work at all.
In contrast, Proverbs 6:6-9 encourages us to be like the ant:
Go to the ant, o sluggard; consider its ways and be wise! It has no commander, no overseer or ruler, yet it stores its provisions in summer and gathers its food at harvest. How long will you lie there, you sluggard?
We can learn from the ant’s example by taking initiative in our tasks. While the ant might not accomplish incredible feats every day, its diligent work adds up over time.
To get started on your own work, start small, setting achievable goals each day. As you succeed at your small daily goals, you’ll gain confidence and motivation.
Active Engagement in One’s Duties
Being active in your duties, as the Apostle Paul described, means using your own hands to accomplish tasks. Put simply: When you see a need, fill it.
Don’t wait for others to ask you to do something. Take charge of your responsibilities at home, work, and in your community.
At home, that could mean washing the dishes even when it’s not your “turn,” taking out the trash when the can is full (rather than smashing down your trash on top), or offering help to a family member actively completing a chore. In your community, it could mean volunteering at your church or your child’s school, or even rolling loose shopping carts you find back into the store.
Look for ways to help others without being asked. These actions build good habits and help combat laziness in your life.
Understanding Good Work Ethic through the Bible
The Bible offers guidance on good work ethic, highlighting the value of diligence and the spiritual importance of hard work. It teaches how our efforts can both honor God and benefit our lives.
Diligence vs. Laziness
The Bible consistently praises diligence over laziness. For example, Proverbs 10:4 says:
A slack hand causes poverty, but the hand of the diligent makes rich.
This demonstrates how your work ethic affects your life. While laziness can lead to problems, diligent work results in success.
Spiritual Significance of Hard Work
When you work hard, you’re not just earning money, you’re living out your faith. Your work has spiritual meaning!
In Colossians 3:23, the Apostle Paul writes:
Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters.
This means your job offers a chance to honor God. Whether you’re a teacher, a builder, or a parent, the work you do there matters to God and is a part of your Christian life.
Hard work also helps others.
When you do your best, you can provide for your family and help those in need. This aligns with Jesus’ teachings about loving your neighbor.
Your diligence and honest work can be a form of daily worship.
Encouragement and Admonition
The Bible offers both encouragement and warnings surrounding laziness. It provides guidance on how to uplift those who struggle with spiritual apathy and cautions against misusing rest.
Uplifting the Spiritually Sluggish
You can help spiritually lazy people by offering kind words and support. The Bible offers many verses to inspire action, including those in this post.
Encourage them to start small. Even a “little slumber” less can make a big difference over time!
Suggest setting tiny, achievable goals each day to build momentum.
Pray with them, asking the Lord God for renewed energy and purpose. Share stories of how you’ve overcome your own struggles with laziness.
Avoiding Misguided Rest and Leisure
While rest is important, too much can lead to spiritual stagnation. The Bible warns against falling into a “deep sleep” of inaction.
But be careful not to mistake proper rest for laziness.
True rest rejuvenates you for service. Excessive rest and leisure can lead to missed opportunities to serve God and others.
Balance is key.
Schedule time for both productive work and genuine rest. This helps you stay spiritually alert and ready to serve.
Overcoming Laziness as a Community
As with most commonly-shared issues, working together can help more effectively defeat laziness. When people support each other, they can achieve more and stay motivated.
Church’s Role in Fostering Diligence
Churches play a big role in combating laziness. They teach about the value of hard work from the Bible, with many churches assisting people in becoming more active in their community.
You might also find volunteer opportunities at your church. These can give you a sense of purpose.
Working with others on projects like building homes or even picking up around church grounds can teach teamwork and diligence.
Plus, pastors and other church leaders often set good examples by demonstrating how to balance work, rest, and worship. This can inspire you to do the same in your own life.
Collective Efforts Against Idleness
When you join forces with others, it’s easier to stay on track.
You could start an accountability group at work where everyone shares their goals. This way, you can cheer each other on and avoid becoming an apathetic or idle person.
Or consider forming a study group or a fitness club to help you learn and stay active! It’s harder to be lazy when your friends are counting on you.
You might even create a neighborhood clean-up team. This can help transform idle hands and idle chatter into something more helpful.
Working together, you can stay active in your neighborhood while forming bonds with your neighbors.
Did you realize how much it said about laziness in the Bible?! Now that you know, you can form a plan to combat laziness and pursue God’s purposes both within and through your life.
You’ve got this!
P.S. Do you want to more consistently pray for your family, but struggle to know what exactly to pray for them? Here are 10 meaningful things to pray for your spouse, 10 to pray for your children, plus printable reference cards to help make prayer a habit! Get yours free HERE!
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