Go to the ant

Man was created to work and toil. One consequence of sin’s curse on this world is that by the sweat of our brow shall we eat bread (Gen. 3:19).  Thus mankind has labored to provide sustenance through out the ages.  Even in our modern era of innovation and technological advancement, we are still bound by this principal of work.

God’s Word is clearly pro-work.  In fact, the first work ever done was by God Himself in the act of creation (Gen. 1).  Likewise, the Law of Moses commanded work to be done for six days, and rest of the seventh (Ex. 20:9).  Hard work and diligence is commended as noble and wise attributes, both in the secular and sacred realms.  Conversely, laziness and slothfulness are condemned.

    ⁶  Go to the ant, you sluggard!   
      Consider her ways and be wise, 
       ⁷   Which, having no captain,   
      Overseer or ruler, 
       ⁸   Provides her supplies in the summer,   
      And gathers her food in the harvest. 
       ⁹  How long will you slumber, O sluggard?   
      When will you rise from your sleep? 
       ¹⁰  A little sleep, a little slumber,   
      A little folding of the hands to sleep— 
       ¹¹  So shall your poverty come on you like a prowler,   
      And your need like an armed man. (Proverbs 6:6-11, New King James Version)

⁴  The soul of a lazy man desires, and has nothing;   
      But the soul of the diligent shall be made rich. 
       (Proverbs 13:4, New King James Version)

⁴  He who has a slack hand becomes poor,   
      But the hand of the diligent makes rich. 
       (Proverbs 10:4, New King James Version)

¹⁵   Laziness casts one into a deep sleep,   
      And an idle person will suffer hunger. 
       (Proverbs 19:15, New King James Version)

²⁸ Let him who stole steal no longer, but rather let him labor, working with his hands what is good, that he may have something to give him who has need. (Ephesians 4:28, New King James Version)

¹¹ that you also aspire to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you, (1 Thessalonians 4:11, New King James Version)

These commands are not limited to men.  Proverbs 31 describes the virtuous wife as "willing to work with her hands", "her lamp does not go out by night", and she "does not eat the bread of idleness."

In his second epistle to the church in Thessalonica, Paul encouraged them to follow his example (2 Thess. 3:6).  For even though as an Apostle Paul was entitled to be supported by the congregation, he chose to instead labor to provide for his needs (2 Thess. 3:8).  By working tirelessly night and day, he set the standard of the hard work that should characterize the life of a believer.  Paul further reinforced the principal that those able-bodied persons who are not willing to work are not to eat (2 Thess. 3:10).  In other words, they were not to continue to support a person's lazy and idle lifestyle.  Instead, they were to exercise church discipline.  Paul commanded the church to keep away from any brother who consistently lives in idleness (2 Thess. 3:6).  They were to have nothing to do with them so that they may be ashamed and repent of their disobedience (2 Thess. 3:14).  In light of all this, the church as a whole is not to become weary in doing good (2 Thess. 3:13), and should not discontinue charity to those in need because of the abuse of the sluggard.

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