Today we will discuss what God’s Word teaches us about laziness. God’s Word teaches us that God does not like laziness and avoiding work. When we are lazy, we neglect the gifts and talents God has given us, which results in us being unable to fulfill God’s plans for our lives.
In the story of the lazy servant, we see how he buried his talent in the ground instead of using it. When his master returned, he was disappointed and angry because he had given it to his servant to grow, but he wasted that opportunity. From this story, we can learn that God expects us to do something for his kingdom with everything he has given us. If we use the talents he has given us, he will bless us in many ways.
If we live a lazy life, we will face poverty and hardship. When we withdraw from working hard, God also stops blessing our lives. God has commanded us to learn from the ant how to protect ourselves for the future by working hard. Our hard work and perseverance reward us, while a lazy life leads us to destruction.
Laziness also destroys our spiritual life. Being spiritually lazy makes us distance ourselves from praying, studying the Bible, and associating with other believers. This weakens our relationship with God and makes us vulnerable to temptation.
We must remember that we have a very short time on this earth. Therefore, we must make the most of this precious time. We will not waste time idly but will live a life of hard work that pleases God. We will always strive to use the talents and resources God has given us to advance the kingdom of God.
Proverbs 10:4 :—
“He becometh poor that dealeth with a slack hand: but the hand of the diligent maketh rich”
Proverbs 12:24 :—
“The hand of the diligent shall bear rule: but the slothful shall be under tribute”
Proverbs 12:27 :—
“The slothful man roasteth not that which he took in hunting: but the substance of a diligent man is precious”
Proverbs 13:4 :—
“The soul of the sluggard desireth, hath nothing: but the soul of the diligent shall be made fat”
Proverbs 15:19 :—
“The way of the slothful man is as an hedge of thorns: but the way of the righteous is made plain”
Proverbs 19:15 :—
“Slothfulness casteth into a deep sleep; an idle soul shall suffer hunger”
Proverbs 19:24 :—
“A slothful man hideth his hand in his bosom, will not so much as bring it to his mouth again”
Proverbs 20:4 :—
“The sluggard will not plow by reason of the cold; therefore shall he beg in harvest, have nothing”
Proverbs 21:25 :—
“The desire of the slothful killeth him; for his hands refuse to labour”
Proverbs 22:13 :—
“The slothful man saith, There is a lion without, I shall be slain in the streets”
Proverbs 24:30-34 :—
“I went by the field of the slothful, by the vineyard of the man void of understandingAnd, lo, it was all grown over with thorns, nettles had covered the face thereof, the stone wall thereof was broken downThen I saw, considered it well: I looked upon it, received instructionYet a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleepSo shall thy poverty come as one that travelleth; thy want as an armed man”
Proverbs 26:13-16 :—
“The slothful man saith, There is a lion in the way; a lion is in the streetsAs the door turneth upon his hinges, so doth the slothful upon his bedThe slothful hideth his hand in his bosom; it grieveth him to bring it again to his mouthThe sluggard is wiser in his own conceit than seven men that can render a reason”
Ecclesiastes 10:18 :—
“By much slothfulness the building decayeth; through idleness of the hands the house droppeth through”
Matthew 25:26 :—
“His lord answered said unto him, Thou wicked slothful servant, thou knewest that I reap where I sowed not, gather where I have not strawed”
Romans 12:11 :—
“Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord”
Colossians 3:23 :—
“Whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, not unto men”
Ephesians 4:28 :—
“Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth”
Hebrews 6:12 :—
“That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith patience inherit the promises”
James 4:17 :—
“Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, doeth it not, to him it is sin”