“What’s the secret to my success? I did as little as possible whenever possible.” Said no successful person ever!
If you want to learn the keys to success, it’s a great idea to learn from successful people. It’s also a great idea to learn from lazy people so you can avoid their way of life.
It might surprise you, but the Bible has a lot to teach us about lazy people. And none of it is good. God pulls no punches when dealing with what he calls the “sluggard.” It stands as a warning to us all not to fall into the sluggard’s trap.
Here are seven lessons God gives about laziness, learn them well.
Lazy people are on the road to poverty.
In a powerful question to lazy people, the Bible asks, “How long will you lie there, you sluggard? When will you get up from your sleep? A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest— and poverty will come on you like a thief and scarcity like an armed man.” (Proverbs 6:9-11)
The fastest way to poverty is to do nothing. It’s as simple as that.
Lazy people love to sleep all the time.
I’ve met many people who love to sleep in until the late part of the day, which is fine if you’re on vacation. But for some, it’s a lifestyle. The Bible warns us against it.
It says, “As a door swings back and forth on its hinges, so the lazy person turns over in bed,” and “Do not love sleep or you will grow poor; stay awake and you will have food to spare.” (Proverbs 26:14, Proverbs 20:13)
Lazy people aren’t very smart.
The Bible says that “lazy people consider themselves smarter than seven wise counselors.” (Proverbs 26:16) That sounds about right, doesn’t it? They always think they know more watching work get done than those actually doing it.
Lazy people want what they haven’t worked for.
Sadly, there are some who live with a give-me mentality. They are the ones who just want the free handouts even though they didn’t work for it. Proverbs 13:4 tells us what happens to takers when it says, “Lazy people want much but get little, but those who work hard will prosper.”
Lazy people are prone to gossip.
The Bible says that lazy people “get into the habit of being idle and going about from house to house. And not only do they become idlers, but also busybodies who talk nonsense, saying things they ought not to.” (1 Timothy 5:13)
Lazy people shouldn’t get to eat.
In the early church, the apostles pulled no punches with lazy people. They told the church in Thessalonica, “when we were with you, we gave you this rule: “The one who is unwilling to work shall not eat.” (2 Thessalonians 3:10)
Lazy people are worse than unbelievers.
This is where laziness takes on a very serious tone in the Bible. It says, “Anyone who does not provide for their relatives, and especially for their own household, has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.” (1 Timothy 5:8)
If you take anything away from these lessons, it should be this. God never blesses laziness. Avoid it at all costs.
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