Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
2 Timothy 2:15 (NKJV)
We all have pet peeves - those things that annoy us - and for me one of them is going into a restroom and finding a toilet having been used, but not flushed. Is it really that hard to push the little lever down when you are done? I don't think so. I would say that these people are probably germophobics, but I have witnessed them and they don't even wash their hands when they are done - yuck! And then there are those who lift the toilet seat up, but don't put the seat down.
All this to say,
Q: How hard is it to finish what you start and to do it the right way?
It amazes me how many people in our culture can start out with proper motives and good intentions of doing things right, only to take the lazy approach when it comes to finishing. This isn't confined to bathroom manners either, but affects virtually every aspect of life. I see it in the workplace, in the relationships between husband and wife; right down to the way people take care of that new car once it gets a little older. Start out good, but it just isn't worth the effort anymore.
Some do this because they lack discipline or they can become easily distracted - they don't possess good follow through skills. Others do it because they put too much on their plate and they simply don't have enough time, while others are just not good at time management. And then there are those who do this because they suffer from what is known as, "Laziness".
Listen to what the Bible says about laziness in the proverbs.
And being lazy affects others as well. We can see this spoken of as well in the proverbs.
To say being lazy is just a character trait is to minimize the truth, because according to God, it is sin, and it is to be abhorred (Rom 12:9). For those who choose not to work and to provide for themselves or their family because of laziness, they are given a great warning as well as we are told in Scripture, they have denied the faith and are considered worse than an unbeliever (See 1 Tim. 5:8).
We are going through a tough time in our economy but this has nothing to do with being lazy. We are able to help others and to be used in a mighty way by our Lord if we are simply willing to serve others. We must be on our guard against the enemy's temptation to sit idle, because it will develop into a pattern and we will be less inclined to get going again when opportunity comes our way.
We can see Jesus' approach to finishing a job correctly as He testified to it being a priority. We see what He said as written in the Book of John.
Jesus said to them, "My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me, and to finish His work." John 4:34 (NKJV)
The Apostle Paul had the same heart as he sought to finish his work. Paul said he did not count his own life dear to himself, so that he may finish his race with joy, and the ministry which he received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God (See Acts 20:24).
Q: Can we say the same thing today? Are you determined to finish your life well to share the gospel of the grace of God with others, and become involved in serving and helping where God has provided an opportunity?
Hey Christian, I don't think the world is going to come to an end if the toilet seat is left up, nor am I going to make a stink about it (Pun intended). But I do want to make a point of our being in service and continually working as unto the Lord (See Col. 3:17, 23). I want to encourage you to do everything as if you were doing it for God - be your best, give your best, finish strong!
STUDY QUESTION: What can we learn from the Scriptures contained within this devotional about being a good worker for God, and about being slothful or lazy?
PERSONAL INVENTORY: Are you being good at following through with the projects you have started? Are you working as if unto God and not man?
APPLICATION: Discipline your body and become a good worker as unto the Lord. Concentrate on doing the best you can and have a joyful heart.
2 Timothy 2:15 (NKJV)
We all have pet peeves - those things that annoy us - and for me one of them is going into a restroom and finding a toilet having been used, but not flushed. Is it really that hard to push the little lever down when you are done? I don't think so. I would say that these people are probably germophobics, but I have witnessed them and they don't even wash their hands when they are done - yuck! And then there are those who lift the toilet seat up, but don't put the seat down.
All this to say,
Q: How hard is it to finish what you start and to do it the right way?
It amazes me how many people in our culture can start out with proper motives and good intentions of doing things right, only to take the lazy approach when it comes to finishing. This isn't confined to bathroom manners either, but affects virtually every aspect of life. I see it in the workplace, in the relationships between husband and wife; right down to the way people take care of that new car once it gets a little older. Start out good, but it just isn't worth the effort anymore.
Some do this because they lack discipline or they can become easily distracted - they don't possess good follow through skills. Others do it because they put too much on their plate and they simply don't have enough time, while others are just not good at time management. And then there are those who do this because they suffer from what is known as, "Laziness".
Listen to what the Bible says about laziness in the proverbs.
- The hand of the diligent will rule, But the lazy man will be put to forced labor. Proverbs 12:24 (NKJV)
- A lazy man buries his hand in the bowl, And will not so much as bring it to his mouth again. Proverbs 19:24 (NKJV)
- The lazy man will not plow because of winter; He will beg during harvest and havenothing. Proverbs 20:4 (NKJV)
- As a door turns on its hinges, So does the lazy man on his bed. Proverbs 26:14 (NKJV)
And being lazy affects others as well. We can see this spoken of as well in the proverbs.
- As vinegar to the teeth and smoke to the eyes, So is the lazy man to those who send him. Proverbs 10:26 (NKJV)
To say being lazy is just a character trait is to minimize the truth, because according to God, it is sin, and it is to be abhorred (Rom 12:9). For those who choose not to work and to provide for themselves or their family because of laziness, they are given a great warning as well as we are told in Scripture, they have denied the faith and are considered worse than an unbeliever (See 1 Tim. 5:8).
We are going through a tough time in our economy but this has nothing to do with being lazy. We are able to help others and to be used in a mighty way by our Lord if we are simply willing to serve others. We must be on our guard against the enemy's temptation to sit idle, because it will develop into a pattern and we will be less inclined to get going again when opportunity comes our way.
We can see Jesus' approach to finishing a job correctly as He testified to it being a priority. We see what He said as written in the Book of John.
Jesus said to them, "My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me, and to finish His work." John 4:34 (NKJV)
The Apostle Paul had the same heart as he sought to finish his work. Paul said he did not count his own life dear to himself, so that he may finish his race with joy, and the ministry which he received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God (See Acts 20:24).
Q: Can we say the same thing today? Are you determined to finish your life well to share the gospel of the grace of God with others, and become involved in serving and helping where God has provided an opportunity?
Hey Christian, I don't think the world is going to come to an end if the toilet seat is left up, nor am I going to make a stink about it (Pun intended). But I do want to make a point of our being in service and continually working as unto the Lord (See Col. 3:17, 23). I want to encourage you to do everything as if you were doing it for God - be your best, give your best, finish strong!
STUDY QUESTION: What can we learn from the Scriptures contained within this devotional about being a good worker for God, and about being slothful or lazy?
PERSONAL INVENTORY: Are you being good at following through with the projects you have started? Are you working as if unto God and not man?
APPLICATION: Discipline your body and become a good worker as unto the Lord. Concentrate on doing the best you can and have a joyful heart.
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