Christians Are to be Energetic Colossians 4:5 “redeeming the time” Ephesians 5:15,16 “walk circumspectly” Ephesians 4:28 “work with his hands” Ephesians 6:5-8 “as bondservants of Christ” Colossians 3:22,24 “you serve the Lord Christ” Titus 2:9-10 “adorn the doctrine of God” 2 Thessalonians 3:6-8, 10-13 “if anyone will not work, neither shall we eat”

Christians are not to be Sluggards, or Lazy, guilty of Slothfulness Hebrew word for “sluggard” or “lazy man” is עָצֵל (‘âṣêl) Only in the book of Proverbs “sluggish, slow, lazy; (n.) sluggard, one with no discipline or motivation, a moral failure” Lacks sense Does not make proper decisions Cannot make up his mind to do what is most needful and important

Who Is Guilty Of Laziness? Those who want to do nothing – Proverbs 13:4; 19:24 Those who engage in activities of secondary importance and neglect those activities which should challenge their talents – Proverbs 20:4

Who Is Guilty Of Laziness? “One-talent man” was active – Matthew 25:14-30 Pharisees in Jesus’ day were guilty of this- Matthew 23:23 Those who are waiting for the church or elders to tell them what to do – Proverbs 6:6-11

The Causes of Laziness Tomorrow seems to offer better opportunities than there are today – Proverbs 27:1 Many have never known the need for hard work and effort – Proverbs 26:14-16 Some quit because they are easily discouraged- “To avoid criticism, do nothing!”

The Curse of Laziness Paves way for additional sins – 1 Timothy 5:13 Makes room for discontent and complaints – Matthew 25:24 Leads to mental and spiritual collapse – Ecclesiastes 10:18 Begets destitution- Proverbs 6:10,11; 19:15; 23:21 Causes one to be repugnant to God- Proverbs 10:26

What The Lazy Man Must Do Must realize his condition and awake from it- Ephesians 5:14 Must awake to righteousness and full, energetic service to the Lord for opportunities abound – James 1:22-25