Finding the sweet spot between workaholism and lazy idleness
By Dean Collins
Idleness was not a part of my family tradition growing up. The expectation was to do your work or else, and if you ever felt the “or else” part, you didn’t want to experience it again. I grew up in a household of five boys. There was a sixth brother with the same father who grew up in a different household where I suspect he learned the same lesson. We do our work before we play.
The only day I consistently saw my father do his work and personal chores was Saturday. I didn’t need an alarm because if my dad was at home, there would be an announcement for all little boys, medium-sized boys, and big boys to get out of bed and get on with the day’s work. The older ones had jobs at local grocery stores. I was the medium-sized boy age-wise, which meant I was able to do more of the work around the house. Being idle was not an option. In order to participate in Little League or other activities, my “work” had to be done.
To this day, those who live with me and work with me would affirm that idleness is not in my vocabulary or way of life. Of course, unchecked this can be a problem. I have to work at not working.
Created for good works
As Paul wrapped up his second letter to the Thessalonians he gave a strong warning about both avoiding idleness and even hanging around anyone who has a lifestyle of idleness. In another epistle, Paul put it this way: “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them” ( Ephesians 2:10).
“Created in Christ Jesus for good works” is specific. We each have a unique and purposeful role in the kingdom of God. When we come into fellowship with Christ we discover that God wants to use us to accomplish the good he planned long ago, a good that ultimately brings all things back to his original and perfect design. We are a part of establishing the new heaven and earth that we will enjoy for eternity. But in order to participate, we must engage with God and avoid idleness.
We must engage with God and avoid idleness
Paul’s warning and instructions include following his example. Do your work quietly. Don’t be a burden to others. Don’t be a busybody who tries to correct or interfere or interrupt others who are doing good. Out of context we might get the wrong impression that life is all work and no rest or pleasure. But we mustn’t forget the numerous examples and instructions of scripture concerning rest, Sabbath, feasts, and celebrations. Jesus attended a lot of parties and dinners and enjoyed long walks and mountain retreats. We can and should follow his example here as well. But we must not forget that in life and in general we are built for work.
Our work, our offering
Both Jesus and Paul were familiar with the psalms. Learning and praying the psalms was part of the work they did growing up. The truth of the psalms can help us remember the foundation of our spiritual life and inform our prayers as well. Psalm 128 opens with a reminder to fear and give reverence to God and to walk in his ways. Jesus and Paul walked in the ways of God. We are called to do the same. As the psalmist completed his opening thoughts he said that when we walk in the ways of the Lord we will eat the fruit of the labor of our hands. From the beginning and to the end we are called to work or labor as our lifestyle and as our offering to God.
In life we find ourselves somewhere on a continuum. The extreme problem we want to avoid is to be a workaholic or, worse, a religious workaholic who cannot stop activity and who likely begins to think everything depends on them. On the other extreme are the people Paul was describing in 2 Thessalonians, busybodies who basically walk around doing nothing except meddling in others’ business but never carrying their weight or doing their work.
The sweet spot on the continuum is in discovering that we are designed by God for his workmanship. We have a role in the kingdom of God that is valuable. When we embrace the goodness of God and do our work at home and at our jobs, we discover that God rewards and honors our work. And if we pay attention, we will also discover that our work blesses others and brings real joy.
Your time with God’s Word
2 Thessalonians 3:6-13; Luke 6:27-31, 35-36 ESV
Photo by Gustavo Fring at pexels.com
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