What does the bible say about work and laziness?

[ivanm]

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http://www.gotquestions.org/laziness-Bible.html

I don't think that Jesus said to lay back and be a mooch while others serve your needs.  The passages in this article support my opinion.
Slothfulness is a more descriptive term for these bottom feeders. We have a hypocrite on this forum who thinks other people owe him a living.

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Question: "What does the Bible say about laziness?"

Answer: Newton’s first law of motion states that an object in motion tends to remain in motion, and an object at rest tends to remain at rest. This law applies to people. While some are naturally driven to complete projects, others are apathetic, requiring motivation to overcome inertia. Laziness, a lifestyle for some, is a temptation for all. But the Bible is clear that, because the Lord ordained work for man, laziness is sin. “Go to the ant, you sluggard! Consider her ways and be wise” (Proverbs 6:6).

The Bible has a great deal to say about laziness. Proverbs is especially filled with wisdom concerning laziness and warnings to the lazy person. Proverbs tells us that a lazy person hates work: “The sluggard's craving will be the death of him, because his hands refuse to work” (21:25); he loves sleep: “As a door turns on its hinges, so a sluggard turns on his bed” (26:14); he gives excuses: “The sluggard says, ‘There is a lion in the road, a fierce lion roaming the streets’” (26:13); he wastes time and energy: “He who is slothful in his work is a brother to him who is a great waster” (18:9 KJV); he believes he is wise, but is a fool: “The sluggard is wiser in his own eyes than seven men who answer discreetly” (26:16).

Proverbs also tells us the end in store for the lazy: A lazy person becomes a servant (or debtor): “Diligent hands will rule, but laziness ends in slave labor” (12:24); his future is bleak: “A sluggard does not plow in season; so at harvest time he looks but finds nothing” (20:4); he may come to poverty: “The soul of the lazy man desires and has nothing; but the soul of the diligent shall be made rich” (13:4 KJV).

There is no room for laziness in the life of a Christian. A new believer is truthfully taught that “…it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast” (Ephesians 2:8-9). But a believer can become idle if he erroneously believes God expects no fruit from a transformed life. “For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do” (Ephesians 2:10). Christians are not saved by works, but they do show their faith by their works (James 2:18, 26). Slothfulness violates God’s purpose—good works. The Lord, however, empowers Christians to overcome the flesh’s propensity to laziness by giving us a new nature (2 Corinthians 5:17).

In our new nature, we are motivated to diligence and productiveness out of a love for our Savior who redeemed us. Our old propensity toward laziness—and all other sin—has been replaced by a desire to live godly lives: “He who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with his own hands, that he may have something to share with those in need” (Ephesians 4:28). We are convicted of our need to provide for our families through our labors: “If anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for his immediate family, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever” (1 Timothy 5:; and for others in the family of God: “You yourselves know that these hands of mine have supplied my own needs and the needs of my companions. In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: 'It is more blessed to give than to receive'” (Acts 20:34-35).

As Christians, we know that our labors will be rewarded by our Lord if we persevere in diligence: “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers” (Galatians 6:9-10); “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving” (Colossians 3:23-24); “God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them” (Hebrews 6:10).

Christians should labor in God’s strength to evangelize and disciple. The apostle Paul is our example: “We proclaim him [Christ], admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone perfect in Christ. To this end I labor, struggling with all his energy, which so powerfully works in me” (Colossians 1:28-29). Even in heaven, Christians’ service to God will continue, although no longer encumbered by the curse (Revelation 22:3). Free from sickness, sorrow, and sin—even laziness—the saints will glorify the Lord forever. “Therefore, my dear brothers, 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).

[johnhp]

From the site you have looted....

In faith we hold the Bible to be inerrant in the original writings, God-breathed, and the complete and final authority for faith and practice.

http://www.gotquestions.org/faith.html

How many of these original writings do you think exist.  Feel free to offer your best guess.

[dustup]

From the site you have looted....

How many of these original writings do you think exist.  Feel free to offer your best guess.

NITPICKER......................

[johnhp]

NITPICKER......................

i asked a question central to the claim.  They claim inerrancy for the original texts.  The existence, or not, is for this group central to the issue of their view of Christianity.

[ivanm]

NITPICKER......................

As usual, the best some people have to offer on the issue is to question the sources or to shoot the messenger.  How does the existence or not of these writings relate to the principle that if you don't scratch then you don't eat? I don't care if someone found it on a backhouse wall, it is still valid.

Surely people can see thru the smokescreens he throws up on nearly every topic.

[johnhp]

As usual, the best some people have to offer on the issue is to question the sources or to shoot the messenger.  How does the existence or not of these writings relate to the principle that if you don't scratch then you don't eat? I don't care if someone found it on a backhouse wall, it is still valid.

Surely people can see thru the smokescreens he throws up on nearly every topic.

Not a smokescreen.  Your source claims inerrancy for the original texts.  All i asked was how many of these are actually available.  It is cetral to the foundation of the ideas expressed on the site.

[Case_Closed]

Two Hours of Trancetastic Session 116...the shiznit.

Trancetastic mix 116: 2 Hour Energised Uplifting Trance Madness 25.

[Case_Closed]

Still LMAO @ IM2's claim that it is "unGodly" to have to work for a living...because some White asshole ate an apple...which is probably nothing more than a metaphor...by a God he doesn't even believe in...in time past that never existed.

Party On!!

Mood:  Chuggin' a 40.

[ivanm]

Still LMAO @ IM2's claim that it is "unGodly" to have to work for a living...because some White asshole ate an apple...which is probably nothing more than a metaphor...by a God he doesn't even believe in...in time past that never existed.

Party On!!

Mood:  Chuggin' a 40.

The bible has a lot of symbolism in it, particularly the OT, and the apple bit is probably a metaphor, as you say.  He ate the forbidden fruit and defied the word of God, I think that was the point the passage is trying to portray. Of course, the wages of his sin were levied on both man and woman. Modern science tells us why a woman suffers at chlild birth, and the liberalese garden of  Eden became off limits to mankind.  So we do have to scratch if we want to eat.

I use a paraphrased bible, which is easier for me to understand than an older vesions such as King James, but I still get hung up on the literal presentation and forget to think about what such symbolism may be trying to say.  Such symbolism may make the bible more difficult to understand, but it does not negate the principles that are being presented.

People tend to use and misuse the bible to support their positions, be they legit or not.  In this case the poster has pulled something out of the bible, probably out of context, and has tried to use it to make a point.  Was Jesus speaking of physical needs or of spiritual needs? I would have to read the passage in its context to make a better judgement on what he was actually saying or meant.

I am winging it on this conjecture, and do not have time to research it as I am getting ready to leave the house for a while. Christ may have been telling his disciples that people will help them with their survival needs such as food and lodging, which appears to be the case, and not to worry about such things. Just concentrate on getting the Word out.

[johnhp]

People tend to use and misuse the bible to support their positions, be they legit or not. 

Like you did in your ridiculous post?

[makesenseplease]

No work, no eat.  It's as plain as day.


http://bible.cc/2_thessalonians/3-10.htm