Laziness / Being Slothful

Are you familiar with the animal Sloth? Of course, who can forget “Sid” the sloth from Ice age or the sloths from Zootopia! Sloths are incredibly slow in every thing they do. It is surprisingly their survival skill. However, from olden times, “sloth” is associated with laziness and carelessness. Dictionary defines “sloth / slothful” as “unwillingness to work or make any effort”. Is this a desirable character or not?

Let us see what the treasure book has to say about this.

OPENING THE TREASURE BOOK

The LORD God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it.”

Genesis 2:15

God created Adam and put him in garden of Eden to work it and take care of it. God wanted man to work in the garden. His ideal plan and will for humans is to do work and not simply waste way being idle or being lazy. He wants us to be engaged and be fruitful.

King Solomon, the wisest of all times, wrote many facts about the effects of being lazy or slothful in the book of proverbs.

He who is slothful in his work, Is a brother to him who is a great destroyer.”

Proverbs 18:9

He who has a slack hand becomes poor, But the hand of the diligent makes rich.”

Proverbs 10:4

Laziness casts one into a deep sleep, And an idle person will suffer hunger.

Proverbs 19:15

Go to the ant, you sluggard! Consider her ways and be wise,”

Proverbs 6:6

Slackness or laziness is considered foolish. The ants are considered wiser than a sluggard because they work hard. The one who is slothful is also called a destroyer. It makes a person poor, makes him suffer hunger and eventually destroys him. God wants us to be productive and creative. He has blessed each of us with a variety of amazing talents. We have to make use of it and be diligent in our duties..

Laziness, idleness or being slothful is not a desirable character. If we are being lazy, then we are going against the will of God and are destroying ourselves.

The parable of talents ( Matthew 25: 14 – 30 )

Jesus in the parable of talents, likened the kingdom of heaven to a man who, while travelling to a far country, called his servants and delivered his possession to them. He gave five talents to the first, two to the second and one to the third servant. He gave them to each according to his own ability. After distributing the talents he immediately went on the journey. The one with five talents traded and made five more talents. Likewise, the one with two talents gained two more. But the one with one talent went and dug the ground and hid his masters possession. After a long time the master came and settled accounts with them. The one with five talents brought five more. His master was happy and appreciated him. He was also happy about the one who doubled his two talents. He made both of them rulers over more. Then the one who got one talent came and returned back the talent as it is. His lord answered and said to him, “You wicked and lazy servant, you knew that I reap where I have not sown, and gather where I have not scattered seed. So you ought to have deposited my money with the bankers, and at my coming I would have received back my own with interest. So take the talent from him, and give it to him who has ten talents. ‘For to everyone who has, more will be given, and he will have abundance. But from him who does not have, even what he has will be taken away. The story ends with the unprofitable servant being cast into the outer darkness. 

With this parable, Jesus is teaching that laziness or idleness in the spiritual realm is also not desirable. In fact, “the lazy” is considered to be wicked. God has blessed us with various talents and abilities. There isn’t a soul that He has created who is without any talent or abilities. We need to trade what God has given us and multiply it for His kingdom. We cannot waste away the resources given by God and cannot burry it but use it for His glory. We are only expected to do according to our abilities, not a bit more. So no need for any kind of comparison or competition with others. We have to serve Lord with the best of our abilities. When we use our talents/ abilities for His glory, more will be added to us. But if we are lazy and do not do anything, whatever we have also will be taken away.

Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord”

Romans 12:11 ESV

We should serve the Lord, no matter what and should be zealous and passionate in our spirit for Him and His kingdom. Do not slack spiritually but be fervent in spirit and glorify God in everything you do. Engage your complete heart in serving Him.

Treasures uncovered

Prayer:

Father we thank you for teaching us that laziness / being slothful is not a desirable character and is against God’s will. Help us to be diligent and fervent in serving you. In Jesus name Amen.

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