SIN

Part 7 -- LAZINESS

HOW SHOULD BELIEVERS RESPOND TO LAZINESS?

THE RETURN OF CHRIST IS A MOTIVATION FOR DILIGENCE, NOT LAZINESS.
We hear that some of you are living idle lives, refusing to work and wasting time meddling in other people’s business. In the Name of Adonai Yeshua Moshiach, we appeal to such people-no, we command them: Settle down and get to work. Earn your own living. -- 2 Thessalonians 3:11-12. Some people in the Thessalonians' church were falsely teaching that because Moshiach would return any day, people should set aside their responsibilities, quit work, do no future planning and just wait for Elohim. But their lack of activity only led them into sin. They became a burden to the church, which was supporting them; they wasted time that could have been used for helping others; and they started meddling in other people’s business -- 3:11. These church members may have thought that they were being more spiritual by not working, but Paul tells them to be responsible and get back to work. Being ready for Moshiach means obeying Him in every area of life. Because we know that Moshiach is coming, we must live in such a way that our faith and our daily practice will please Him when He arrives.

THERE IS AN APPROPRIATE PLACE FOR REST AND RELAXATION.
Paul was writing here about the person who is lazy. Paul explained that when he and his companions were in Thessalonica, they worked hard, buying what they needed rather than becoming a burden to any of the believers. The rule they followed was, -- If a man will not work, he shall not eat. There’s a difference between leisure and laziness. Relaxation and recreation provide a necessary and much-needed balance to our lives; but when it is time to work, believers should jump right in. We should make the most of our talent and time, doing all we can to provide for ourselves and our dependents. Rest when you should be resting and work when you should be working.

PERSISTENT LAZINESS SHOULD NOT BE PERMITTED.
Paul counselled the church to stop supporting financially and associating with those who persisted in their idleness. Hunger and loneliness can be very effective ways to make the idle person become productive. Paul was not advising coldness or cruelty, but the kind of tough love that a person would show a brother or sister.

OBEDIENCE IS TRUE PREPARATION FOR CHRIST’S COMING.
Dear friends, while you are waiting for these things to happen, make every effort to live a pure and blameless life. And be at peace with Elohim. -- 2 Peter 3:14. We should not become lazy and complacent because Moshiach has not yet returned. Instead, we should live in eager expectation of His return. What would you like to be doing when Moshiach returns? That is how you should be living each day.

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY ABOUT LAZINESS?
Proverbs 10:4: Lazy people are soon poor. Proverbs 13:4: Lazy people want much but get little, but those who work hard will prosper and be satisfied. Proverbs 15:19: A lazy person has trouble all through life. Romans 12:11: Never be lazy in your work, but serve Elohim enthusiastically.

IS IT A SIN TO BE LAZY?
1 Timothy 5:13: Besides, they are likely to become lazy and spend their time gossiping from house to house, getting into other people’s business and saying things they shouldn’t. 2 Thessalonians 3:11: We hear that some of you are living idle lives, refusing to work and wasting time meddling in other people’s business. Ezekiel 16:49: Sodom’s sins were pride, laziness and gluttony. -- There is a difference between rest and laziness. The Bible clearly says that laziness can be a sin, while rest is a reward for hard work. Someday we will be asked to give an account for how we spent our time here on earth. There is no accounting for laziness. In addition, when we have nothing to do we are more easily tempted into sin.