As creatures made in the image of God, humans are designed to work and be active. It is in our DNA. It is what makes us our happiest and most content. It drives us to obtain the things that we want and need. Solomon said, “The soul of a lazy man desires, and has nothing; but the soul of the diligent shall be made rich” (Proverbs 13:4). In certain situations laziness can even be fatal. “The desire of the lazy man kills him, for his hands refuse to labor” (Proverbs 21:25). Those living in affluent countries and under modern welfare systems may have difficulty appreciating the gravity of this passage but laziness has killed many people over the course of human history.
The principle of industry is everywhere taught and encouraged in the Bible. Laziness is everywhere condemned. By “laziness” I do not mean mere rest or relaxation. These are the right rewards of work and dedication. Solomon said that “the sleep of the laboring man is sweet” (Eccl. 5:12) and the Lord promises the saved that they will one day “rest from their labors” (Revelation 14:13). By “laziness” I mean the unwillingness to work or to exert the necessary energy to fulfill basic obligations.
The Bible actually begins with a story about creativity and work. It begins with a description of God’s work of creating and ordering the universe. God’s own actions demonstrate the spirit of industry (Genesis 1). God’s actions are called “work” and we are told that He “rested” from that work on the seventh day (Genesis 2:2). God took satisfaction in His work for He “saw everything that He had made and that it was very good” (Genesis 1:31). Soon after this, God would give instructions to Adam to “tend and keep” the Garden of Eden (Genesis 2:15). God’s work in creation served as the basis for what would later be the Jewish work-week (work 6 days and rest on the 7th, Exodus 31:15-17).
Of course, creation was only part of God’s work. The Bible goes on to describe many other works of God (Jos. 4:23-24; Psa. 78:7, 11; Isa. 5:12). Some related to man’s physical preservation and some to his spiritual salvation. Jesus “ever lives to make intercession for us” (Hebrews 7:25).
As creatures made in God’s image (Genesis 1:26-27), humans are designed to be industrious and productive. Most people understand and appreciate this responsibility. I am often amazed at what some people accomplish. Paul taught the principle of industry when he instructed the Thessalonians “to aspire to live quietly, and to mind your own affairs, and to work with your own hands, as we instructed you, so that you may walk properly before outsiders and be dependent on no one” (1 Thessalonians 4:11-12).
Sadly, not all people are so motivated. For whatever reason, they simply don’t work. They are like the Cretans of Paul’s day, who were described by one of their own prophets as being “liars, evil beasts and lazy gluttons.” Paul confirmed the accuracy of this allegation and told Titus that part of his preaching work would be to rebuke them for these sinful behaviors (Titus 1:12-13). Of course, these conditions also exist today in various places throughout the world. Some places have cultivated a culture of laziness. Youths are not taught to work or how to work. This results in an endless cycle of dependency and despondency.
Some Causes Of Laziness
Some people are lazy because they have never been taught or required to work. As a result they do not develop the habit of work. Business owners often speak of how difficult it is to find young people with a good work ethic. Parents are to train their children (Proverbs 22:6; Ephesians 6:4). This training must include Bible instruction about work and industry, for these are also Bible subjects. David would have been around 15 years old (a “youth,” 1 Sam. 17:33) when he carried provisions to his brothers, tended his father’s sheep and killed Goliath (1 Samuel 17). David’s story demonstrates how small tasks prepare one for greater ones. David explained to Saul that his experience protecting sheep from lions and bears had prepared him to deal with Goliath (1 Sam. 17:34). Jesus told the 5 and 2 talent servants that since they had been “faithful over a few things” He would make them “ruler over many things” (Matthew 25:21, 23). It helps children to perform tasks, no matter how small or insignificant they may seem (cleaning their room, picking up their clothes, making up their bed, cleaning the house…etc), for it prepares them to later perform greater and more significant tasks. Hannah dedicated her child Samuel to the service of the Tabernacle (1 Samuel 1 & 2). From his early youth he learned and worked under the direction of Eli, the Priest. It is a good thing today for parents to make and train their children to help clean in and around the church building or help the elderly, infirm or needy.
Some people are lazy because they have lazy examples. Laziness becomes endemic in these situations. Children of lazy parents are likely to be lazy. The cycle continues generation after generation until it develops into a full-blown culture of laziness (like the Cretans). Due to misconceptions about the coming of Christ, some members of the church at Thessalonica had stopped working. Paul reminded them of his prior instructions that “if anyone will not work, neither shall he eat” (2 Thessalonians 3:10). He also reminded them of his own example of hard work. While at Thessalonica Paul and his companions “worked with labor and toil night and day,” making himself an example of self-reliance and independence to those brethren (2 Thess. 3:8-9). Young people are influenced by the examples of those around them, including their family and friends and especially their own parents.
Some people are made lazy by government welfare programs. Solomon wrote, “The person who labors, labors for himself, for his hungry mouth drives him on” (Proverbs 16:26). The Bible here teaches that hunger motivates one to work. Under our present welfare system people rarely go “hungry,” for they are given food whether they work or not. This system is a disincentive to work. Obviously, some people can’t work and so need the help of others, but some are just lazy and their laziness is actually encouraged by government programs. As I referenced above, Paul told the Thessalonians that they should work “to be dependent upon no one.” He told the Ephesians, “Let him who stole steal no longer, but rather let him labor, working with his hands what is good, that he may have something to give to him who has need” (Ephesians 4:28). These verses teach self-sufficiency and personal benevolence to the needy. Government redistribution schemes enable the slothful and discourage the diligent.
Some people are lazy because of frivolity. Solomon wrote, “He who tills his land will be satisfied with bread, but he who follows frivolity is devoid of understanding” (Proverbs 12:11). Sports, hobbies, entertainment, video games and general “goofing off” may be enjoyable, but these things can lead to laziness. One might stay very “busy” doing such things but they do not constitute work. Yes, there are rigid schedules and commitments to team members in many of these activities, but people are still doing what they want to do and not what they have to do. Entertainment and recreation should be viewed as rewards for work, not as the work itself.
Some people are lazy because they are afraid to do anything. Solomon wrote, “The lazy man says, ‘There is a lion in the road! A fierce lion in the streets!’” (Proverbs 26:13; 22:13). They might be afraid of failure, or ridicule, or intimidation, or embarrassment, or rebuke, or being harmed on the job or being harmed on the way to a job. As the “lion” of the Proverb implies, their fear is irrational. The “lion” is an excuse. Such people must rise above their fears and meet their obligations. Yes, they might fail at some particular task (all who try, do at some point), and the boss may have to correct and even rebuke them, but they must try. They can learn from their mistakes and make improvements. If they are mocked and ridiculed by coworkers they should use it as an opportunity to develop self-control and patience with others. Jesus was reviled by others but He did not revile in return (1 Peter 2:23). The work place can be a great place for character building.
Some people are lazy because they don’t want to expend energy. Doing nothing is easy. Solomon wrote, “As the door turns on its hinges, so does the lazy man on his bed” (Proverbs 26:14). The lazy man is hinged to his bed. Why does he enjoy lying down? Because lying down requires no effort! Work requires effort. Solomon went on to say, “The lazy man buries his hand in the bowl; it wearies him to bring it back to his mouth” (26:15). The normal functions of life are drudgery for this person. “The lazy man does not roast what he took hunting…” (Proverbs 12:27). Cooking food requires effort, which the lazy man refuses to exert. He does the absolute bare minimum in life. He managed to acquire food but would not spend the extra energy necessary to cook it.
Some people are lazy because they are narcissistic. They have an exaggerated sense of self-importance. Their sense of privilege leads them to believe that work is beneath them and that others should do it for them. Some youths of today believe that they are owed a livelihood by others. This mentality is driving the present socialist movement in America. These youths don’t truly understand the inevitable direction of socialism, for if they did they would not support it., Solomon spoke to this ultimate reality in Proverbs 12:24 — “The hand of the diligent will rule, but the lazy many will be put to forced labor.” Misguided and uninformed people may believe that socialism will provide them with what the want, but the reality is that many of them are perfect candidates for forced labor camps. Those who know the actual history of socialism know that it always ends in this tragic way.
Conclusion
Lazy people cannot be depended upon. “As vinegar to the teeth and smoke to the eyes, so is the lazy man to those who send him” (Proverbs 10:26). Those will be embarrassed and frustrated who send a lazy man to do a job. He will either not finish the job at all, or he will take far too long to do it, or he will not do the job well. However, the Bible provides hope for lazy people. Its instructions, examples and illustrations can change a lazy person into a productive one. It is just a matter of training, purpose and incentive. We considered passages that address various physical incentives against laziness, but the greatest incentive is spiritual. Jesus called the one-talent man “wicked and lazy” (Matthew 25:26). His fate was to be cast into the “outer darkness” of eternal misery and damnation. We all want to avoid that fate. In whatever we do, let us “do it heartily, as unto the Lord…” (Colossians 3:23).
—Tim Haile