6 Reasons to Not be Lazy
As I was thinking and praying about what to write today, a word popped out to me in my notes from Proverbs 31 – laziness. It made me cringe because it’s a word I have been feeling convicted about for the past few weeks. I had planned to do a lot of things this summer, but many of them were canceled. While I still have projects to work on and a Bible study group to lead, knowing that there’s not a lot going on this summer has made me feel a little… lazy.
There’s a verse from Proverbs 31 that always makes me consider how I’m spending my time:
She looks well to the ways of her household, And does not eat the bread of idleness. Proverbs 31:27
I have to admit, it’s easy and comfortable to be idle with my time. But the Proverbs 31 woman is the opposite of idle:
She looks for wool and flax And works with her hands in delight. She is like merchant ships; She brings her food from afar. She rises also while it is still night And gives food to her household And portions to her maidens. She considers a field and buys it; From her earnings she plants a vineyard. She girds herself with strength And makes her arms strong. She senses that her gain is good; Her lamp does not go out at night. Proverbs 31:13-18
The Proverbs 31 woman seems quite busy, and it can feel a little intimidating. But take a minute to re-read this description, and notice that this woman is not frantically running around. She’s considering (which means she’s not rushing), she’s finding delight in her work, and she feels good about her gain. The Proverbs 31 woman is choosing productivity and making the most of her time. She’s not being busy to be busy, but she’s also not being lazy. Both extremes can distract us from the work God has called us to do.
Here are six good reasons to not be lazy:
1: God created us to work.
Then the Lord God took the man and put him into the garden of Eden to cultivate it and keep it. Genesis 2:15
Back before man’s fall, God gave Adam and Eve work cultivating and keeping the garden. Work is not a result of the fall; we were created to be productive. We are made in the image of God, and God gave us an intentional pattern during creation of six days of work and one day of rest each week. Living by that pattern enables us to thrive. Being lazy keeps us from thriving in our work, our relationships, and our rest.
2: Idleness encourages sin.
At the same time they also learn to be idle, as they go around from house to house; and not merely idle, but also gossips and busybodies, talking about things not proper to mention. 1 Timothy 5:13
When we are not focusing on serving the Lord (whether that be through our day-to-day responsibilities, relationships, time with God, or other specific ways God has called us to serve), it is easy to become distracted. It’s easy for me to get distracted by social media, which by itself is not necessarily a bad thing, but when it is keeping me from doing what God has called me to do, it is sin (see James 4:17).
3: Laziness gets in our way.
The book of Proverbs has many warnings against laziness. Laziness creates unnecessary obstacles for our lives, keeps us from wisdom, and makes us needy.
The way of the lazy is as a hedge of thorns, But the path of the upright is a highway. Proverbs 15:19
I passed by the field of the sluggard And by the vineyard of the man lacking sense, And behold, it was completely overgrown with thistles; Its surface was covered with nettles, And its stone wall was broken down. When I saw, I reflected upon it; I looked, and received instruction. “A little sleep, a little slumber, A little folding of the hands to rest,” Then your poverty will come as a robber And your want like an armed man. Proverbs 24:30-34
Go to the ant, O sluggard, Observe her ways and be wise, Which, having no chief, Officer or ruler, Prepares her food in the summer And gathers her provision in the harvest. How long will you lie down, O sluggard? When will you arise from your sleep? “A little sleep, a little slumber, A little folding of the hands to rest”— Your poverty will come in like a vagabond And your need like an armed man. Proverbs 6:6-11
I love the example of the ant in that last passage. Instead of choosing laziness, we can choose wisdom and good, hard work.
4: We are called to do everything to the best of our ability for the Lord.
Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father. Colossians 3:17
Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance. It is the Lord Christ whom you serve. Colossians 3:23-24
Everything we do should be done in the name of the Lord Jesus. That means everything we choose to do should honor Him and the way we do it should honor Him. If we are spending our time for ourselves, then we are not serving the Lord. We must be diligent to take time to evaluate what we do and why we do it so that we are truly honoring our Lord in all we say and do.
5: We are called to make the most of our time.
Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise, making the most of your time, because the days are evil. Ephesians 5:15-16
As I said in the last point, we must be wise in how we spend our time, making sure that we are honoring the Lord in what we do.
“And the one also who had received the one talent came up and said, ‘Master, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you did not sow and gathering where you scattered no seed. And I was afraid, and went away and hid your talent in the ground. See, you have what is yours.’ “But his master answered and said to him, ‘You wicked, lazy slave, you knew that I reap where I did not sow and gather where I scattered no seed. Then you ought to have put my money in the bank, and on my arrival I would have received my money back with interest. Therefore take away the talent from him, and give it to the one who has the ten talents.’ “For to everyone who has, more shall be given, and he will have an abundance; but from the one who does not have, even what he does have shall be taken away. Matthew 25:24-29
In the parable of the talents, the third servant wasted his talent by hiding it in the ground, and his master called him a lazy slave. As believers, the time that we have and the gifts God has given us are all “talents” meant to be invested for God’s glory. We are not to be passive in the way we spend our time or use the gifts God has given us. Whatever we do, we need to bring glory to His name. Whether we are being diligent to stay on top of our chores or spending time discipling a new believer, if we are doing it in Jesus’ name then we are on the right track.
6: Laziness is not the same as rest.
This is the excuse I like to use for laziness. I need a lazy day, time to recharge, time for myself. But laziness is not the same as rest.
A lazy day leaves me restless, tired, and unsatisfied with my unproductive day. Usually, if I’m choosing a “lazy day,” it means I’m spending way too much time on social media and watching TV. Neither of those things offer true rest.
Rest is found in Jesus Christ.
“Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30
When my soul needs refreshment, recharge, and rest, turning to entertainment will not do it. Checking off a thousand boxes on my to-do list won’t do it, either. I must go to Jesus, relax in His presence, and allow His strength to renew me and prepare me for the tasks He’s called me to do. Rest in Christ does not leave me feeling unsatisfied and unproductive, but instead fills me up and leaves me refreshed.
I hope these six points have encouraged and challenged you to not be lazy and instead choose diligence. May we honor the Lord with our time this summer and the rest of this year!
With love,
Kelsey
