About Laziness
Laziness is not wise. God Himself is our example in work, having labored for six days in creating the world, creating us in His image, and continuing through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus. Because we are created in God’s image, we are wired with the ability and desire to be creative and productive with our lives. Diligent, purposeful work is part of that process. At the same time, we must take care to establish the proper rhythm of rest that God also modeled for us, lest we become so consumed with work that we lose sight of the God we are serving.
Wise Words
Work is good. Whoever works his land will have plenty of bread, but he who follows worthless pursuits lacks sense. – Proverbs 12:11 ESV
Work to God’s glory. Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men. – Colossians 3:23 ESV
Rhythm matters. And on the seventh day God finished his work that he had done, and he rested on the seventh day from all his work that he had done. So God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it God rested from all his work that he had done in creation. – Genesis 2:2-3 ESV
Get moving. How long will you lie there, O sluggard? When will you arise from your sleep? – Proverbs 6:9 ESV
Wise Warnings
No excuses. The sluggard says, ‘There is a lion outside! I shall be killed in the streets. – Proverbs 22:13 ESV
Laziness is fruitless. The soul of the sluggard craves and gets nothing, while the soul of the diligent is richly supplied. – Proverbs 13:4 ESV
Watch your sleep. A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest, and poverty will come upon you like a robber, and want like an armed man. –Proverbs 6:10-11 ESV
Laziness enslaves. The hand of the diligent will rule, while the slothful will be put to forced labor. – Proverbs 12:24 ESV
Gospel Wisdom
There has never been more difficult and meaningful work accomplished than the work of Jesus Christ on the cross. Not a hint of laziness can be seen in the Biblical accounts of the life of Jesus. He worked hard. He served. He sacrificed His life. In addition, the New Testament apostles demonstrated the same level of effort, working tirelessly to bring the Gospel to the first century world. As with Jesus, when we read the book of Acts it is impossible to detect any trace of laziness in the lives of these early saints. The Gospel itself impels us to work hard and rest well so we can be intentional and effective in pointing others to Jesus.
Other Wisdom
Genesis 2:15-25
John 19
Ephesians 2:1-10
2 Thessalonians 3:10
Every Good Endeavor: Connecting Your Work to God’s Work, by Tim Keller
Crazy Busy: A (Mercifully) Short Book about a (Really) Big Problem, by Kevin DeYoung
Your Life in Rhythm, by Bruce Miller