Inside each of us is the desire to have that one day where we can totally shut the world out, forgo chores, become a couch potato and "chill" without having anything or anyone demanding our attention.There's nothing wrong with desiring to do that once in a while. However, what if we slipped into that pattern and it became a normal way of living? Well, we'd get little done in this lifetime and everything around us would suffer including our marriage, parenting, finances, church, etc.
Laziness is sinful. The Bible is full of Scriptures that speak about the "slothful" spirit and a lazy person. God help us and forgive us if we slip into this slothful spirit mentality and forget the course He has called us to.
Proverbs 24:30-34 I went by the field of the slothful, and by the vineyard of the man void of understanding; And, lo, it was all grown over with thorns, and nettles hadcovered the face thereof, and the stone wall theeof was broken down. Then I saw, and considdred it well: I looked upon it, and received instruction. Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, a lttle folding of the hands to sleep: So shall thy poverty come as one that travelleth; and thy want as an armed man.
Doesn't this sound like some churches? So much potential...yet so much is neglected...and in the end a spirit of poverty takes over the place. Friends, it's costly to operate in full discipleship. You will get your hands dirty, it will be a sacrifice and it will not always be easy.
The moment BFWC becomes slothful will be the moment we decide to take for granted everything God has provided for us. We cannot afford to shift to auto pilot and take a nap!
GOD HELP US! We owe the Lord so much more than what we're doing...and the truth is...none of our excuses or explanations are acceptable - even if we've convinced our own selves of our errancy.
Five Characteristics of a Lazy Leader
1. Place Blame on Others
Honestly, if we'd just done things differently, made the right choice instead of the wrong, did the ethical thing, asked for help, not lost our cool, or had showed up on time that terrible thing that happened would not have.
You show up to work 15 minutes late and the boss yells at you.
- Do you blame the traffic for being backed up, the wife for not having breakfast on the table, your dry cleaner for loosing your shirt?
- Or do you take responsibility and next time make a point of leaving early because you know traffic will be backed up, you get up a little earlier and help your wife make breakfast and you make sure to have a back up shirt for when the dry cleaner goofs.
Lazy people will always point the blame elsewhere. Non-lazy people will look at themselves first and ask "What could I have done differently?"
2. I Can't Help Myself
Oh...this is classic. Now, I can actually blame my laziness on something rather than myself for the problems I face.
Here's an idea...let's start another support group! Don't get me wrong, support groups help but can we just get real and quit trying to tip-toe around everyone, afraid to hurt their feelings, and let's get the axe out of the shed, sharpen it again and lay it precisely upon the root.
I'm not saying that addictions aren't real or difficult to deal with - but I am saying that a lazy trait is to shift the blame to something that can be named rather than deal with what brought about this situation in the first place.
What are you addicted to that is enabling you to hide from the truth? Some people will refuse to get help so that they can "milk" their addiction for all it's worth. Non-lazy people will seek out help when they cannot curb their addiction alone.
3. Lack of Ethics
Lying is wrong. Stealing is wrong. Cheating is wrong. They're all three different but they all come under the category of unethical. Whether it's robbing a bank to pay for your rent, lying to cover up something you did wrong or cheating on your spouse because you "just weren't getting your needs met at home" - it's still unethical.
Lazy people will cut corners and fore-go all effort with lies, stealing and cheating. Non-lazy people will make that extra effort to what's honest.
4. Spoiled Rotten
We all know what we're thinking when we see that little 5 yr old throwing a fit in the candy isle at the store. We throw tantrums when we don't get what we want or things don't go like we want them to.
Can someone say "spoiled?" Being spoiled means you refuse to take responsibility for your own actions and you make no effort to get along with others or share. This happens in kids as well as adults.
Are you behaving like a spoiled brat? Lazy people don't like making an effort to share or give. THEY ARE TAKERS! They will let you give to them over and over and over till resources are exhausted then they'll find someone else to take from.
Friend, it takes an effort to get alone with others, it takes effort to hold yourself responsible, it takes effort to control your emotions.
Effort is not a lazy trait; therefore lazy people fore-go effort whatever makes them happy.
Lazy people will not control their emotions, share their wealth or be willing to compromise. Non-lazy people enjoy seeing everyone happy and make a point of getting along.
5. A No Show
Lazy people are characterized as "missing in action", unpunctional, procrastinators, slow, tardy, etc.
How many of us work with someone like this? They are always late and they always have a great excuse for their tardiness: traffic was backed up, my car broke down, I didn't feel good, I forgot, my alarm wasn't set, etc.
Have you ever used one of those excuses? We all have. Lazy people will just those excuses even when they're not true. They get used to the unethical way of living.
Lazy people will not plan ahead to make sure they're on time and usually will not be bothered to call. Non-lazy people will at least call if they know they'll be late.
God help us to refuse to be slothful! God help us even in all of our productivity to be fruitful as well as faithful!