Overcoming laziness Scripturally

                   "He who has a slack hand becomes poor, but the hand of the diligent makes a man rich" (Proverbs 10:4)

Many people, including some Christians are having problems with laziness. Some of us are having this problem. We seem to think we are better off than others. The truth is, we can't achieve anything by laziness. The Bible has something to say against this sin. It says, "A lazy person will think he is wiser than seven men who can give good answers to their opinions" (Proverbs 26:16, Good News-CE). The book of Proverbs is very rich in Scriptural passages about laziness. It alone says, "Go to the ant and watch her ways and be wise" (Proverbs 6:6). The effect of laziness would not just be just poverty, but it would result in an idle mind. The idle mind is indeed the devil's workshop and through an idle mind, Satan tries to concoct evil thoughts. The way to overcome laziness is to start being diligent and begin at home. Only in doing so will we be overcoming laziness.

"For while we were with you, we used to tell you, whoever does not work is not allowed to eat" (2 Thessalonians 3:10)

The Apostle St. Paul was rebuking the Christians in Thessalonica for thinking that Jesus will return anyway and therefore, there's no need to work. But Paul says otherwise. He says to, "mind your own business and work with your hands just like we told you to" (1 Thessalonians 4:11, Good News-CE). Slack Christians and even Catholics should not give in to presumptions that Christ will return at this day or next month and therefore, there's no need to work. While we are waiting for Christ's return in glory, we, in turn, should do our part in working for our living. But what work should we do? The Apostle St. Paul gives the answer in Galatians 6:9, and here's what it says:

Galatians 6:9 (Good News-CE), "So then, let us not stop doing good, for the time will come when we will reap the harvest"

We should work yes, but it should be a GOOD WORK, and not a work that will cause someone to sin (e.g., prostitution, drug business). Some good works include helping in the household chores, fixing the bedroom, and respecting our parents. A little good work is already big deal to our Lord Jesus Christ. The sacrifices we do as we work, we can offer this for our neighbor's conversion or for the souls in Purgatory. Laziness is one of the seven deadly sins we should overcome. If we are already lazy, we should do something against it. We should make Jesus our Lord and obey His commandments, starting at our home and then we will reap the good works of our diligence as Scripture says, "Then I heard a voice from heaven saying to me, Write, blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on., Yes, says the Spirit, that they may rest from their labors and their good works go with them" (Revelation 14:13, NKJV). For the record, I will be quoting Sirach 22:1-2 of the Good News Bible- Catholic Edition:

Sirach 22:1-2 (Good News-CE), "Lazy people are no better than dung; they are repulsive, and no one wants to get near them."

St. Isidore, patron of workers, pray for us!

St. Joseph the Worker, pray for us!