Does the Bible advocate laziness?
It might!
I could make that argument based on the opening of Psalm 127.
“Unless the LORD builds the house, the builders labor in vain. Unless the LORD watches over the city, the guards stand watch in vain. 2In vain you rise early and stay up late, toiling for food to eat–for He grants sleep to those He loves.” – Psalm 127:1-2
This psalm is ascribed to Solomon, who as king, had a lot of experience in building projects. The temple, his palace, cities–he got a lot accomplished!
But Solomon describes instances of “vain” labor. The Hebrew word (shawv) means emptiness, vanity, or falsehood.
So is he tearing down all forms of work? No, he sets a condition people must meet before they can consider their labor successful.
The Lord has to do the work.
But if that’s the case, why should we work? You see the problem?
Look at the first example: constructing houses. It seems Solomon sets before us two builders. The first one is God and the second is a construction crew. If God is going to build the house, why should the crew show up? They can take a vacation and the house will still get done!
The same logic applies to security guards. Why bother making the rounds if the Lord is going to keep watch anyway?
And then Solomon knocks the whole idea of earning a living. We don’t have to work for our food because God makes us too tired to put in the effort.
Sounds like a sluggard’s dream!
But Solomon had something else in mind.
The second part of the psalm gives us a clue.
“Children are a heritage from the LORD, offspring a reward from Him. 4Like arrows in the hands of a warrior are children born in one’s youth. 5Blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them. They will not be put to shame when they contend with their opponents in court.” – Psalm 127:3-5
There’s a sudden swerve from work to children. Why the change in subject?
If we take a step back, we’ll notice these align with the instructions God gave Adam and Eve as His image and likeness.
Then God said, “Let us make mankind in Our image, in Our likeness, so that they may rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky, over the livestock and all the wild animals, and over all the creatures that move along the ground.” 27So God created mankind in His own image, in the image of God He created them; male and female He created them. 28God blessed them and said to them, “Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky and over every living creature that moves on the ground.” – Genesis 1:26-28
God made people to govern creation. We do so by creation and procreation–through work and family.
Solomon isn’t criticizing Genesis. He believes that work and family lie at the core of human thriving in this world.
But things don’t always go according to God’s plan. People sin, they make mistakes, they try hard but fail to meet their goals.
God doesn’t want work to replace His presence in the lives of His people. The Lord doesn’t want children to become more important to parents than He is to them.
God approves of work and family.
We can bring the course of our lives under His care.
That’s how the apostle Paul operated.
“But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace to me was not without effect. No, I worked harder than all of them–yet not I, but the grace of God that was with me.” – 1 Corinthians 15:10
God’s grace ought to infuse our homes and our vocations. Consider the advice Paul gave the Colossians:
Wives, submit yourselves to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. 19Husbands, love your wives and do not be harsh with them. 20Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord. 21Fathers, do not embitter your children, or they will become discouraged. 22Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything; and do it, not only when their eye is on you and to curry their favor, but with sincerity of heart and reverence for the Lord. 23Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, 24since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving. 25Anyone who does wrong will be repaid for their wrongs, and there is no favoritism. 1Masters, provide your slaves with what is right and fair, because you know that you also have a Master in heaven. – Colossians 3:18-4:1
Why work? Because God wants to work through us! He uses our jobs and our relationships to build up the character of Jesus in us. With every trial, we learn how Christ addresses issues. And with every blessing, we appreciate the Father’s love toward us.
“Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.” – 1 Corinthians 15:58
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