Take it easy!

Most of the people I interact with tell me that they are busy, that their lives are crammed full of responsibilities.  Are we really busier than ever or does the way we live make it seem that way? A 2012 study found that, on average, Americans spend 5 hours a day on leisure activities.  Yes, 25% of our day belongs to us. But, what are we doing with that time?  Wasting it? Using it for social benefit? Enhancing some skill? Conversing with others?  Probably this comes as no surprise.  We spend the largest chunk of that time, an average of 2.8 hours per day, watching TV!

As much as we hate to admit it, without motivation we tend to do less. If not monitored, we taper off on productivity. Without accountability, quality slips. Part of the fallen human nature is revealed in something the Bible calls ‘idleness’  and it more than a ‘lifestyle’ issue. God says it matter to Him.  The first generation Church, because of the love and generosity found there, attracted people who were looking for an easy life.  Those who loved leisure discovered that these Christians were loving and would take care of them even if they were lazy. 

Paul, inspired by the Spirit, wrote to address the problem. "And now, dear brothers and sisters, we give you this command in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ: Stay away from all believers who live idle lives and don’t follow the tradition they received from us. For you know that you ought to imitate us. We were not idle when we were with you. We never accepted food from anyone without paying for it. We worked hard day and night so we would not be a burden to any of you. We certainly had the right to ask you to feed us, but we wanted to give you an example to follow. Even while we were with you, we gave you this command: “Those unwilling to work will not get to eat.” Yet we hear that some of you are living idle lives, refusing to work and meddling in other people’s business. We command such people and urge them in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ to settle down and work to earn their own living. As for the rest of you, dear brothers and sisters, never get tired of doing good. Take note of those who refuse to obey what we say in this letter. Stay away from them so they will be ashamed. Don’t think of them as enemies, but warn them as you would a brother or sister." (2 Thessalonians 3:6-15, NLT) Rather to the point, isn’t it? A lazy Christian is missing out on God’s best, being a burden to his community.

The idea of ‘work’ has become tainted for us. Few think of what they do as a vocation (calling). Instead we have ‘jobs.’ Many of us seek to find a way to produce maximum dollars for least effort. No wonder we find so little joy in what we do. Some mistakenly believe that work is part of the curse of sin and that it is ‘bad.’  A careful reading of the Genesis account of the Fall into sin clears up that error. Work was commended, even in the perfection of Eden.  Work was given to humanity as a way to participate in God’s purposes, to build, create, and serve.  So, what did sin bring?  A break between work and  it’s reward!  The frustration of sin that our work is sometimes fruitless, our efforts are not matched with the result we desire.

Never the less, Christians are directed to honor Christ by being people who are diligent. Laziness spills over into every part of a person’s life.  Those who live only to minimal standards are not going to be spiritually disciplined, are not going to be financially responsible, and will find it very challenging to build strong, lasting relationships. Why? Because finding the best life demands effort; consistently.  Proverb’s pithy wisdom tells us, "Take a lesson from the ants, you lazybones. Learn from their ways and become wise! Though they have no prince or governor or ruler to make them work, they labor hard all summer, gathering food for the winter. But you, lazybones, how long will you sleep? When will you wake up? A little extra sleep, a little more slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest— then poverty will pounce on you like a bandit; scarcity will attack you like an armed robber." (Proverbs 6:6-11, NLT)

Give some thought to the way you think about work. 
Do you commit your daily efforts to God, asking for the Spirit to guide you to live and work in a way that honors your Lord? 
Pray about the way you use your ‘leisure’ time. 
Are you using some of those hours to serve others, to serve in Kingdom work?

Here’s the word from the Word - "The soul of a lazy man desires, and has nothing; but the soul of the diligent shall be made rich." (Proverbs 13:4, NKJV)