What's Wrong: Laziness

"I went by the field of the lazy man, And by the vineyard of the man devoid of understanding; And there it was, all overgrown with thorns; Its surface was covered with nettles; Its stone wall was broken down." (Proverbs 24:30-31).

Our country is in danger of becoming this proverbial vineyard. Once America boasted a proud ethic that encouraged industry and valued hard work. During the Great Depression many who were in legitimate need refused government aid and welfare programs because they "didn't take charity." Now millions clog the nation's welfare rolls, billions have been spent on every kind of aid program imaginable, and despite it all, poverty rates continue to climb. Our nation has forgotten how to work. How has this happened?

This has happened because we over-value pleasure and recreation. Ask most people to describe Paradise and they will quickly tell of an idyllic land where they can do as they please all the time, engage themselves in every kind of recreation and hobby constantly, and never have to work. That is not the Bible's picture of paradise! When God created man and put him in the only paradise this world has ever known, the Garden of Eden, there was work to do: "Then the Lord God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to tend and keep it" (Gen. 2:15). Adam and Eve had jobs and work to do! God gave them this work because He knew that it is, contrary to conventional thinking, good for humans to work. Man needs to be productive and to do something constructive (Eccl. 3:12-13). Despite what people believe, endless idleness is not good for us. So even in heaven we will serve God (Rev. 22:3). I do not know what all that will involve but it is clear that heaven will not be a gilded retirement home where we lie around endlessly doing nothing. We were made to serve and to work and to do -- and so we shall in eternity, and so we should while here on this earth. Yes, there is a place for recreation, but it must not consume us and become our reason for living. There is a wonderful contentment that comes to those who have worked hard and labored diligently. Fun and hobbies simply cannot provide that kind of contentment.

Our country has become lazy because our government subsidizes and encourages laziness. When all the political rhetoric is over, the truth remains that there are able bodied men and women on the welfare rolls. These people have no incentive to work because the government pays them to be lazy. The Bible answer to such is clear: "If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat" (2 Thess. 3:10). Under Israel's civil-religious code it is interesting to note that there was no provision made for free hand-outs to those who found themselves impoverished. Instead the practice of gleaning was established, whereby the wealthy made provision for the poor but the poor had to go out and work to receive that provision (see Lev. 19:9-10). Our government has done a great disservice to both the rich and poor by operating in defiance of these biblical principles. Truly, there are those who are in legitimate need and deserve compassion and help (note Galatians 6:10 and Ephesians 4:28). But it is no help to anyone, including the sluggard, to give him or her money while they refuse to work. That just helps them remain lazy and dependent. Sadly, many churches (yes, even the Lord's church too) have become giant hand-out agencies that dispense food, clothing and money to many who should be frankly told "You are lazy and must go to work." These churches have joined the government in helping to destroy America's work ethic.

America has become lazy because too many believe they can get rich without hard work. No one wants to be poor. In times past the prevailing idea was that if you wanted to better yourself you should buckle down, start at the bottom, work hard, be diligent and success would come your way. Unfortunately, few want to do that today. Instead many gamble what little they have, hoping for instant riches in the lottery or casino. Others wait for the Publisher's Clearinghouse Sweepstakes to solve their problems. Even more are involved in shady "get rich quick" schemes and multi-level marketing systems that are promoted with big promises that you don't have to work to reap huge profits. All of these are shameful, but I continue to be shocked by the number of Christians who are sucked into this last form of laziness. Just like everyone else I am "hit upon" by folks who are part of these network schemes and urged to sign up. It amazes me to look over the promotional literature and videos and see how materialism, greed, and covetousness is extolled and praised, while honest labor is devalued and ridiculed. Can't anyone see how fundamentally anti-Christian this is? Riches have never been the center of the Christian's life (see Luke 12:15) and the thought that we could acquire riches without fair labor ought to be reprehensible to us all. Isn't it interesting how these schemes never really work? The promoters talk about how many are getting rich easy and quick, but you don't ever actually know any of these people do you? Two proverbs speak to this issue. "The desire of the lazy man kills him, for his hands refuse to labor" (Prov. 21:25). "All hard work brings a profit, but mere talk leads only to poverty" (Prov. 14:23). The wisdom of Solomon helps us see how the "get rich quick" mentality is self-defeating and can only lead to more poverty.

Our country has lost its work ethic, but New Testament Christians have not. Romans 12:11 still tells us to be diligent, not lazy. 1 Timothy 5:8 still warns us that failure to provide for our own makes us worse than an unbeliever. Let us be about the business of productive labor, refusing to partake of the laziness that dominates our culture.