READ 2 Thessalonians 3:6-15

It's rather interesting subject, to conclude this book which has dealt with some of the great prophetic themes of the Bible.  This is the book that talks about the apostasy, the appearance of the Antichrist on the earth, it presents some of the great glorious Gospel truths, and the great doctrines of our faith.  Now, he comes to the concluding verses and of all things, he talks about the matter of lazy Christians.  

He mentions twice, in verse 6 and verse 11, "Those who walk disorderly."  The word is really a military word.  It means a soldier who is out of step.  It means someone who is unruly.  We've already met these individuals back in I Thessalonians 5:14 where it says, "...warn them that are unruly..."  Same word -- disorderly, unruly.  

What is the problem?  In verse 11 he specifies the problem.  “For we hear that there are some which walk among you disorderly, working not at all, but are busybodies.” The Scriptures make it very clear here that laziness should never be a part of a Christian's life.

Today we will simply look at a few verses from the book of Proverbs, as it warns against the danger of being a lazy person.  

• Proverbs 19:15, “Slothfulness casteth into a deep sleep; and an idle soul shall suffer hunger.”

• Proverbs 19:24, “A slothful (Lazy) man hideth his hand in his bosom, and will not so much as bring it to his mouth again.” He's so lazy he puts his hand in his coat and is too lazy to even take it out to eat.

• Proverbs 20:4, “The sluggard will not plow by reason of the cold; therefore shall he beg in harvest, and have nothing.” Some people always have a reason not to work.

• Proverbs 23:21, “For the drunkard and the glutton shall come to poverty; and drowsiness shall clothe a man with rags.” The writer warns against laziness.

• Go to Proverbs 24:30-34 and deduce what happens when one is lazy.

These are just some of the passages in the Old Testament book of Proverbs that warn us against the danger of laziness.  Tomorrow we will look at 2 Thessalonians 3 and see what it says about laziness.

Your Friend and HIS,

Pastor Abbott

MEDITATIONS

1.  How would you classify yourself?  Are you lazy? A hard worker? Or somewhere in between?

2.  Explain why you answered the question above as you did?

3.  How could being lazy negatively impact your Christian testimony?

4.  What picture is painted in Proverbs 24:30-34, that should give you pause from laziness?