Making Your Time Count

Lord, what does the Bible teach about laziness?

Despite their desires, the lazy will come to ruin, for their hands refuse to work. I walked by the field of a lazy person, the vineyard of one with no common sense. I saw that it was overgrown with nettles. It was covered with weeds, and its walls were broken down. A little extra sleep, a little more slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest—then poverty will pounce on you like a bandit; scarcity will attack you like an armed robber.

Proverbs 21:25; Proverbs 24:30-31, 33-34

What mind-set can help me be more productive?

A hard worker has plenty of food, but a person who chases fantasies has no sense. Lazy people want much but get little, but those who work hard will prosper. Never be lazy, but work hard and serve me enthusiastically. Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for me rather than for people.

Proverbs 12:11; Proverbs 13:4; Romans 12:11; Colossians 3:23

What can I pray when I feel like wasting time?

Lord, help me to never get tired of doing good.

2 Thessalonians 3:13

There is a difference between laziness and rest. Rest is a reward for hard work, but laziness produces nothing. It is closely tied to selfishness because lazy people expect others to do the work. Take a time assessment today. Keep a log of work time versus idle time. How much time do you spend scanning your phone or social media? How much TV do you watch? How much time is spent being productive (including productive rest)? How much time do you waste? Ask the Lord to reveal where there is laziness in your life and how you might use that time more fruitfully.