Working Vs Slothfulness

This post will be covering the topics concerning how a Christian is to work as well as being a study on Idleness and sloth. The fact that working takes up roughly a third of our lives makes this study a rather important one.

The Penalty of being Slothful!

The bible has quite a bit to say about the attitude of slothfulness and the behavior of Idleness especially in the book of Proverbs. Let's see what we can learn about the results of such actions.

In Exo 5:8 we have Pharaoh accusing the Israelites of being Idle, though I don't think that was the case. We learn in Pro 6:9  -11 that the "little sleep" of the sluggard results in their impoverishment. The bible continues to repeat this message when it speaks of the idle soul suffering hunger (Pro 19:15), when it warns us to not love sleep lest we come to poverty (Pro 20:13), and how that drowsiness clothe men with rags (Pro 23:21). Scripture also teaches us that the slothful are the ones under tribute whereas the diligent bear rule (Pro 12:24).

We also see that the slothful will make excuses not too work in Pro 20:4 and Pro 22:13. The bible also teaches us that the way of the slothful is like a hedge of thorns, this is also reflected by their field being overgrown with them (Pro 15:19, Pro 24:30-31). We also learn from scripture that the slothful are so lazy that it grieves them to bring their hand to their mouth (Pro 19:24, Pro 26:14 -15). Proverbs finally tells us that the virtuous women doesn't eat the bread of idleness (Pro 31:27).

It is the slothful or the fool that refuses to labor and starves himself (Pro 21:25, Ecc 4:5). It is through slothfulness and idleness that houses fall apart (Ecc 10:18). The abundance of Idleness is iniquity (Eze 16:49). We would do well to remember what happens to the unprofitable servant (Mat 25:26-30). The bible clearly teaches us that those who refuse to work shouldn't eat

(2Th 3:10  -11). Those that will not provide for their own are worse than infidels (1 Tim 5:8).

see also (Pro 13:4, Pro 18:9, Ecc 11:4, 1Ti 5:13)

The Christian Work Ethic

So what does the bible teach about how Christians are to work? Well if you are a manager or boss you can take the example in the Old Testament and not rule over your servants with rigour (Lev 25:43), you should also forbear to threaten them as well (Eph 6:9).  So what about servant's what instructiions can we derive from scripture for them?

Whatever are occupation is we should do it with our might (Ecc 9:10), and not slothful in business (Rom 12:11). The bible is not against working long hours for it speaks of working in the morning and not stopping in the evening (Ecc 11:6). Although this is not always the case (Psa 104:23).

Scripture exhorts servants to be obedient to their masters according to the flesh, not with just eyeservice but rather as unto the Lord/Christ (Eph 6:5 -6, Col 3:22 -23). Servants are also instructed not to talk back or purloin (steal) from their masters as well (Tit 2:9 -10). We are further instructed to not just be subject to the good bosses but to the froward ones as well. We are to follow Christ's example and even if we suffer wrongfully, that is for doing well; we should take it patiently (1Pe 2:18 -23).

see also (Pro 27:23, 1Th 4:11-12, 1Ti 6:1, Heb 6:12)

So Why Do We Work?

I remember a kid wondering why isn't everything free or wouldn't it be cool if everything was free? The fact of the matter is if everything was free then nobody would work; this would result in nothing being made. We work to get things, be it food, clothing, or other materials so that we can live our day to day lives. We learn from scripture that those that labor are worthy of their hire (Mat 10:10, Luk 10:7, 1Ti 5:18), and if we till our land we will have bread (Pro 12:11, Pro 28:19). This not only applies to the physical realm but the saint's shall recieve rewards in heaven based on our actions here on earth (1Co 3:6 -8, 1 Cor 3:13-15). 

see also: Psa 128:2, Pro 13:11, Pro 14:23, Pro 22:29, 1 Cor 9:7

What else does Scripture tell us about this subject?

Work in and of itself isn't part of the curse as Adam tended to the garden before sin came (Gen 2:15), however after the fall the ground became cursed causing thorns and thistles to grow (work can be painful), and man now had to work hard ("sweat of thy face") in his labor (Gen 3:17-19). I have heard my wife cite Pro 16:26 quite a few time when I have told her that I go to work for her. Back in the old testament we see that a newly wed man wasn't to be charged with any business, or be drafted to war but was to stay home and cheer up his wife (Deu 24:5). That's a long honeymoon!

Among other creatures the bible calls both the ant and the spider exceeding wise, though they be little we can learn a thing or two from them concerning diligence! (Pro 30:25, Pro 30:28). As Christians we are not to be sluggards because we are a light to the world(Mat 5:14-16), and the bible teaches that sluggards are like smoke in the eyes or vinegar to the teeth to those that send them (Pro 10:26). As bible-believing Christians we are to be diligent this way we will have resources to give to those who are less fortunate (Pro 10:4, Pro 21:5).   

In conclusion Christians are to work heartily for their bosses if they have them, and do what they tell us without back-talking. Instead of being slothful we should be fervent in spirit. We shouldn't be idle either, instead we are instructed to redeem the time (Eph 5:16).

See also (Pro 14:4, Ecc 2:24, Ecc 5:12, Lam 3:27, Act 17:21)

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