Scripture values work and condemns laziness: God placed man in the garden to care for it, Proverbs warns the lazy, and Paul instructs us to work with our own hands so that we may live honorably and be able to help those in need. The words of 2 Thessalonians 3:10 about those who do not want to work refer to people who live disorderly lives and do nothing, not to those who are unable to work.
What Does the Bible Say About This?
- Genesis 2:15: The Lord God placed man in the Garden of Eden to tend and keep it. This is a description of creation, not a requirement to have paid employment.
- Proverbs: the lazy person is told to learn from the ant (Proverbs 6:6); laziness leads to poverty, while diligence leads to prosperity (Proverbs 10:4–5); the lazy person desires but receives nothing, while the diligent are fully satisfied (Proverbs 13:4); the lazy person's field was overgrown with thorns and weeds (Proverbs 24:30–34).
- Paul writes that those who used to steal should steal no longer, but should work with their own hands, doing something useful so they can share with anyone in need (Ephesians 4:28).
- Paul urges the Thessalonians to make it their ambition to live quietly, mind their own business, and work with their own hands, so that they may behave honorably toward outsiders and not be dependent on anyone (1 Thessalonians 4:11–12).
- 2 Thessalonians 3:6–13: Paul commands believers to keep away from those who live disorderly lives; he himself worked day and night so as not to be a burden, and reminds them of his previous command: the one who is unwilling to work should not eat. He hears that some are doing nothing but meddling, and exhorts them to work quietly and eat their own bread.
- Colossians 3:22–24: servants—that is, slaves under the conditions of ancient slavery—are instructed to carry out their work sincerely, as service to the Lord and not to people, remembering that their reward comes from the Lord.
This brief answer was prepared by the editorial team; the verse texts are from the Father’s Blessing Bible.
Key Scripture Passages
9 Scripture passages · Father’s Blessing Bible
Ephesians 4:28
Let the one who stole steal no longer, but rather work, doing something useful with his own hands, so that he may have something to share with anyone in need.
1 Thessalonians 4:11–12
11 and make it your ambition to live quietly, to mind your own business and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you; 12 so that you may walk properly before outsiders and not be dependent on anyone.
2 Thessalonians 3:6–13
6 We command you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, to keep away from every brother who walks disorderly and not according to the tradition you received from us, 7 for you yourselves know how you ought to imitate us: we were not disorderly among you, 8 nor did we eat anyone’s bread free of charge, but worked and labored night and day so as not to burden any of you—9 not because we do not have authority, but to make ourselves an example for you to imitate. 10 For even when we were with you, we commanded you this: if anyone is unwilling to work, neither should he eat. 11 For we hear that some among you are walking disorderly, doing no work but meddling. 12 We command and exhort such people, through our Lord Jesus Christ, to work quietly and eat their own bread. 13 But you, brothers, do not grow weary in doing good.
Genesis 2:15
And the Lord God took the man [whom He had formed] and placed him in the garden of Eden to cultivate it and keep it.
Proverbs 6:6
Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider its ways and be wise.
Proverbs 10:4–5
4 Lazy hands make a person poor, but diligent hands bring wealth. 5 Whoever gathers crops in summer is a wise son, but whoever sleeps during harvest is a disgraceful son.
Proverbs 13:4
The soul of the sluggard desires but has nothing, while the soul of the diligent is richly satisfied.
Proverbs 24:30–34
30 I passed by the field of a lazy man and the vineyard of a person lacking sense: 31 and behold, it was all overgrown with thorns, its surface was covered with nettles, and its stone wall had collapsed. 32 I looked, reflected, and took this lesson to heart: 33 “A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest—34 and your poverty will come like a passerby, как and your need like an armed man.”
Colossians 3:22–24
22 Servants, obey your earthly masters in everything; serve them not only when they are watching, as people-pleasers, but with sincerity of heart, fearing God. 23 Whatever you do, do it wholeheartedly, as for the Lord and not for people, 24 knowing that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as your reward, because you serve the Lord Christ.
