“His master answered, ‘You wicked and slothful servant!’”
— Matthew 25:26
The Lord Jesus has some unkind things to say about the deliberately slothful person. In the parable of the talents, the Lord lambasts the third man because he was lazy.
The Bible admonishes us to be not slothful in business, but fervent in spirit serving the Lord, and therefore by our fervency in our business we are also serving the Lord. And Paul says that if a man will willfully not work then neither shall he eat (2 Thessalonians 3:10).
And yet we live in a day when these things are being greatly ignored to the detriment of our society. One time some counties instituted a “workfare” program which was to substitute for the welfare program that had been in effect. Sadly, many able-bodied people did not take advantage of this. Too many of them just wanted something for nothing. We are producing more and more people who are being taught by our government in effect that the world owes them a living.
This is a sin and we as Christians need to face up to that. We are producing a generation of slothful, indigent people and it does not portend well for our society.
Furthermore, it does not help the poor, especially since the wealth-transfer systems break the back of the urban family. It is a great tragedy when we as individuals or as a nation stray from God’s principles. God’s ways still work, and He has designed us for work. Granted, some people in extreme cases cannot. But the exception should not make the rule.
Dear God, thank You for creating us to work. Thank You for the blessings of accomplishments and the joy in a job well done. Help us to do work well and always help those who are unable to do so…
BY GOD’S STRENGTH, WE CAN
DO OUR WORK TO HIS GLORY.
Jesus Condemns Laziness
Matthew 25:26
August 11, 2019
What Does J-O-Y Spell?
February 7, 2024
“We are writing these things to you so that our joy may be complete.” — 1 John 1:4 When the king is in residence in his castle, they raise the flag to indicate that fact. One theologian said, “Joy is the flag which is raised over the citadel of the heart to indicate that the King is resident within.” Joy is the flag. Two workmen working in the street in front of a church were watching as the people filed in for Sunday morning service. One of them said to the other, “You know, I’ve seen a hundred or two hundred people go into that church, and I haven’t seen a single smile on any one of their faces.” That is tragic indeed. The Gospel is a Gospel of joy, as well as of grace, peace, and love. At the birth of Christ, the angels said to the shepherds that they brought good tidings of great joy. Paul says in Galatians that the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy… It is the second fruit of the Spirit. Are our lives typified by joy? In looking at some people’s faces you wouldn’t think that they had much joy. They seem often to frown and be sullen and unhappy and show little of the joy of Christ in their countenance. Some people seem like the only experience that they have had is an experience of acid indigestion, instead of the transforming wondrous joy of Jesus Christ. If you want to experience more joy, remember this simple formula: J-O-Y means Jesus first, Others second, Yourself last. Lord, give me strength for today to put Jesus first and others second. God of joy, thank You for giving me so much joy all around me and joy within. Let Your joy overflow unto all the people around me. Thank You for the joy of heaven… IN GOD’S STRENGTH AND PRESENCE, THERE IS FULLNESS OF JOY.
Self Examination
December 4, 2023
“Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Prove yourselves. Do you not know yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you are disqualified.” — 2 Corinthians 13:5 Did you like taking tests when you were in school? If you didn’t, you’re in good company. Most of us dreaded tests, unlike the blessed few with natural smarts and good study habits. I hate to say this, but today is test day. Are you ready? In today’s passage, Paul commands us to take a test—an open-book test comparing our lives with God’s Word. We must administer the test to ourselves, for this test is a self-examination, a test for Christ’s presence within us … a test with eternal consequences. When it comes to making moral and spiritual judgments, we’re often prone to examining everyone but ourselves. All of us have something of the critic within us, always willing to point the finger at others. The Corinthians had the same tendency. In fact, they were the hypercritics of the ancient world. They criticized Paul’s apostleship, and in reaction to their criticism, Paul urged them to examine the reality of their own faith. We still have Corinthians with us today. In fact, we so often are the Corinthians. How many of us have left church saying such things as “Well, what did you think of that sermon?” or “How did you like that preacher?” Sounds like Corinth, doesn’t it? But we shouldn’t judge God’s servants. Instead, we need to place ourselves at Christ’s feet and submit ourselves to the judgment of God’s Word. The Word of God explains that one day we shall give account of ourselves before Christ. On that day you won’t criticize your spouse, your parents, your neighbors, your church members, or your pastors. You’ll give an account of your own life. No other statements or input will be allowed. That’s a sobering thought. As hard as it is, take that test today. Use the psalmist’s prayer to aid in this process: “Search me, O God, and know my heart. Try me and know my anxious thoughts. And see if there be any hurtful way in me. And lead me in the everlasting way.” Amen. Make sure your heart is right with God. Let’s get our own act together before we try to direct everyone else’s. QUOTE: “I have had more trouble with myself than with any other man.” — Dwight L. Moody
The Spirits of New Year’s Eve
December 31, 2019
“Who has woe? Who has sorrow? Who has contentions? Who has babbling? Who has wounds without cause? Who has redness of eyes? Those who tarry long at the wine, those who go to seek mixed wine.” — Proverbs 23:29-30 Some today call alcoholism merely a “disease.” The Bible calls it drunkenness. But you know, it is an interesting “disease” because the only way you can become an alcoholic is to get drunk. The Bible says that no drunkard will enter into the kingdom of heaven (see I Cor. 6:10). Someone has said that if alcoholism is a disease (and certainly when a person becomes addicted and enslaved by it, it takes on many aspects of a disease): It is the only disease that is contracted by an act of the will… It is the only disease that is bottled and sold… It is the only disease that provokes crime… It is the only disease that bars the patient from heaven. It is a tragic “disease” in America, and it is found among many young people today. Many who are turning away from drugs are turning to alcohol. This is even true of churched young people. Having a drink is one thing, but we should not do anything—including having a drink—if it causes our brother to fall away from the faith. The Bible says that we should not be drunk with wine but instead be filled with the Holy Spirit. Having the joy of the Lord inside takes away the empty hole that some try to fill with drunkenness. Lord, on this New Year’s Eve, we know that many will turn to the bottle for solace. We ask, Dear Father, that instead they would turn to You. Thank You for this past year. We lay the new one at Your feet… BY GOD’S STRENGTH, OUR HEARTS CAN BE AT REST.