Laziness

Wisdom says: “Because of laziness the building decays, and through idleness of hands the house leaks” (Ecclesiastes 10:18 – NKJV) and again: “Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise: Which having no guide, overseer, or ruler, Provideth her meat in the summer, and gathereth her food in the harvest. How long wilt thou sleep, O sluggard? when wilt thou arise out of thy sleep? Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep: So shall thy poverty come as one that travelleth, and thy want as an armed man” (Proverbs 6:6-11).

Through these words Solomon condemned laziness and rebuked sluggards, that is, those who do not want to work with their own hands but are busybodies. Paul also condemns laziness and rebukes sluggards, for, concerning some believers of Thessalonica who were idle, he wrote to the saints of Thessalonica: “For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat. For we hear that there are some which walk among you disorderly, working not at all, but are busybodies. Now them that are such we command and exhort by our Lord Jesus Christ, that with quietness they work, and eat their own bread” (2 Thessalonians 3:10-12).

Therefore, brothers, I warn you against laziness, for it has harmful effects on people, as also the people of this world say, ‘The devil finds work for idle hands’.

However, there is also a spiritual laziness of which we must beware, for Paul says to the Romans: “Never be lacking in zeal” (Romans 12:11 – NIV. The IBRV reads, “Quanto allo zelo, non siate pigri”, that is, ‘concerning zeal, do not be lazy”). Therefore, brothers, beware of any laziness in the things pertaining to the Kingdom of God, such as prayer, reading and meditation of the Word of God, visiting the sick, evangelizing the lost, attending the church services, doing good works such as taking an old brother (or sister) to the place of worship in your car, doing the shopping for him because he is sick, and many other useful things.

Let it be known to you that jus as he who does not want to work with his own hands because he is lazy will bear the consequences of his rebellion, for he will become poor, so he who is lazy in the things pertaining to the kingdom of God will bear the consequences of his rebellion because he will become – spiritually speaking - naked, poor and miserable.

The Scripture says: “Zeal for Your house has eaten Me up” (John 2:17 - NKJV). Can you say to God these words? If your answer is ‘Yes’, continue in this holy zeal, but if your answer is ‘No’ then I exhort you not to be idle but zealous for the House of God. Consider how zealous are the supporters of the soccer teams, consider the sacrifices they make in order to go to the stadium to cheer on their favourite team; consider also how zealous are certain members of certain political parties, who are willing to spend part of their time and money on spreading the ideas of their party. Now, I say: ‘If sinners are so zealous for the vain things, which pass away, should you not be much more zealous for the truth, which abides forever?’ Awake, you who are spiritually lazy!

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