We can’t bring any glory to the Lord or to the Kingdom of God by being lazy. There is no honor in laziness, nor is there any glory in being idle. I want to make it clear that I’m NOT talking about people who yearn to work, who have searched rigorously and urgently for employment, but haven’t been able to obtain it. That’s not the same thing.
What these Scriptures are addressing are people who prefer to be idle, and those who choose to engage in gossip and spreading rumors rather than performing true, diligent labor.
All hard work brings a profit, but mere talk leads only to poverty. (Pro 14:23 NIV) This verse teaches us that working hard brings us the benefit of being paid for our labor. Those who only talk about working, but who actually do nothing, earn no wages and can buy no groceries.
For even when we were with you, we commanded you this: If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat. 11 For we hear that there are some who walk among you in a disorderly manner, not working at all, but are busybodies. (2 Thes 3:10-11 NKJV) This excerpt from 2 Thessalonians demonstrates the truth that people who won’t work will have nothing to eat. In addition, when people don’t work they have lots of time on their hands which the enemy can turn into opportunities to sin against God. While all sin is displeasing to God, the sin of gossip displeases the Lord greatly. It is the reason that the Scriptures describe such persons as busybodies.
And besides they learn to be idle, wandering about from house to house, and not only idle but also gossips and busybodies, saying things which they ought not. (1 Tim 5:13 NKJV) Here again, the Bible warns us about idle hands and minds being turned toward evil, unrighteous pastimes.
As we see from Proverbs 14:23 (above), the Holy Spirit says that ALL hard work brings financial gain and advantages to the ones who work diligently. The Bible encourages believers to work hard, to be responsible and kind, and to live honorably within our communities so that we are an asset to them. God will reward us with His blessings as we live obediently to His word. Praise His Name!
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