Laziness and idleness are warned against in Scripture, as they can lead to spiritual and moral decay. According to Proverbs, idleness can bring poverty and other negative consequences. The apostle Paul instructs believers to avoid idleness and instead work diligently, as seen in 2 Thessalonians, where he commands them to withdraw from those who refuse to work. In 1 Timothy and 1 Thessalonians, Paul also encourages believers to be mindful of their behavior and to warn those who are idle, while in Ephesians, he exhorts them to make the most of their time, being wise and diligent in their daily lives.
Relevance Score
35%
Now we command you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, to keep away from any brother who leads an undisciplined life that is not in keeping with the tradition you received from us. For you yourselves know how you ought to imitate us, because we were not undisciplined among you, nor did we eat anyone’s food without paying for it. Instead, in labor and toil, we worked night and day so that we would not be a burden to any of you. Not that we lack this right, but we wanted to offer ourselves as an example for you to imitate. For even while we were with you, we gave you this command: “If anyone is unwilling to work, he shall not eat.” Yet we hear that some of you are leading undisciplined lives and accomplishing nothing but being busybodies. We command and urge such people by our Lord Jesus Christ to begin working quietly to earn their own living.
At the same time they will also learn to be idle, going from house to house and being not only idle, but also gossips and busybodies, discussing things they should not mention.
And we urge you, brothers, to admonish the unruly, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, and be patient with everyone.
Pay careful attention, then, to how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil.
She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness.
Through laziness the roof caves in, and in the hands of the idle, the house leaks.
Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast and immovable. Always excel in the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.
For even while we were with you, we gave you this command: “If anyone is unwilling to work, he shall not eat.” Yet we hear that some of you are leading undisciplined lives and accomplishing nothing but being busybodies. We command and urge such people by our Lord Jesus Christ to begin working quietly to earn their own living.
Yet we hear that some of you are leading undisciplined lives and accomplishing nothing but being busybodies.
Walk in the manner of the ant, O slacker; observe its ways and become wise. Without a commander, without an overseer or ruler, it prepares its provisions in summer; it gathers its food at harvest. How long will you lie there, O slacker? When will you get up from 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 need like a bandit.