Laziness Kills
Laziness is destructive (Prov 18:9, TEV). Opportunities are lost and what could have been never happens. Not surprisingly, then, God dislikes it (Mt 25:26). He says that laziness is slow suicide (Eccl 4:5, Message). It is a movement toward death because it fails to embrace God’s opportunity to live as He knows would be best.
Laziness is one of the seven deadly sins. We are commanded to avoid laziness by working hard (Rom 12:11, NCV). However, our hard work is to be doing the tasks the Lord has appointed for us (see NIVSB note on Jer 48:10).
Laziness is not primarily about an absence of activity, per se, but to a turning away from God and His work for us. This can be done out of a belief that God is harsh (which is likely to lead to sadness!), hopelessness because we believe our activity won’t make a difference, or disagreeing with Him about the meaningfulness of the work He wants us to do (Mt 25:20-30). In laziness, we don’t pay attention to the Lord – we are dull in listening to Him (Heb 5:11, GW). No wonder laziness is described as slow suicide! We must do the work God has assigned us. He is not harsh or cruel but loves us and knows what is best.
Unending pleasure in the next life; training for godly pleasure in this one.