Laziness. Parable of the Talents Matthew 25:14-30 14 "For the kingdom of heaven is like a man traveling to a far country, who called his own servants.

LazinessLaziness

Parable of the TalentsParable of the Talents Matthew 25:14-30Matthew 25:14-30 14 "For the kingdom of heaven is like a man traveling to a far country, 14 "For the kingdom of heaven is like a man traveling to a far country,

who called his own servants and delivered his goods to them.who called his own servants and delivered his goods to them. 15 And to one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another 15 And to one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another

one, to each according to his own ability; and immediately he went on one, to each according to his own ability; and immediately he went on a journey.a journey.

16 Then he who had received the five talents went and traded with 16 Then he who had received the five talents went and traded with them, and made another five talents.them, and made another five talents.

17 And likewise he who had received two gained two more also.17 And likewise he who had received two gained two more also. 18 But he who had received one went and dug in the ground, and hid 18 But he who had received one went and dug in the ground, and hid

his lord's money.his lord's money. 19 After a long time the lord of those servants came and settled 19 After a long time the lord of those servants came and settled

accounts with them.accounts with them. 20 "So he who had received five talents came and brought five other 20 "So he who had received five talents came and brought five other

talents, saying, "Lord, you delivered to me five talents; look, I have talents, saying, "Lord, you delivered to me five talents; look, I have gained five more talents besides them.'gained five more talents besides them.'

21 His lord said to him, "Well done, good and faithful servant; you 21 His lord said to him, "Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.'Enter into the joy of your lord.'

Parable of the TalentsParable of the Talents 22 He also who had received two talents came and said, "Lord, you delivered 22 He also who had received two talents came and said, "Lord, you delivered

to me two talents; look, I have gained two more talents besides them.'to me two talents; look, I have gained two more talents besides them.' 23 His lord said to him, "Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been 23 His lord said to him, "Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been

faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.'the joy of your lord.'

24 "Then he who had received the one talent came and said, "Lord, I knew 24 "Then he who had received the one talent came and said, "Lord, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you have not sown, and gathering you to be a hard man, reaping where you have not sown, and gathering where you have not scattered seed.where you have not scattered seed.

25 And I was afraid, and went and hid your talent in the ground. Look, there 25 And I was afraid, and went and hid your talent in the ground. Look, there you have what is yours.'you have what is yours.'

26 "But his lord answered and said to him, "You wicked and lazy servant, you 26 "But his lord answered and said to him, "You wicked and lazy servant, you knew that I reap where I have not sown, and gather where I have not knew that I reap where I have not sown, and gather where I have not scattered seed.scattered seed.

27 So you ought to have deposited my money with the bankers, and at my 27 So you ought to have deposited my money with the bankers, and at my coming I would have received back my own with interest.coming I would have received back my own with interest.

28 So take the talent from him, and give it to him who has ten talents.28 So take the talent from him, and give it to him who has ten talents. 29 "For to everyone who has, more will be given, and he will have 29 "For to everyone who has, more will be given, and he will have

abundance; but from him who does not have, even what he has will be taken abundance; but from him who does not have, even what he has will be taken away.away.

30 And cast the unprofitable servant into the outer darkness. There will be 30 And cast the unprofitable servant into the outer darkness. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.'weeping and gnashing of teeth.'

DefinitionDefinition

averse or disinclined to work, activity, or averse or disinclined to work, activity, or exertion; indolent.exertion; indolent.

causing idleness or indolence: a hot, lazy causing idleness or indolence: a hot, lazy afternoon.afternoon.

slow-moving; sluggish: a lazy stream.slow-moving; sluggish: a lazy stream.

Characteristics of the Characteristics of the Lazy PersonLazy Person

1) Hates work1) Hates work

Proverbs 21:25Proverbs 21:25 - The desire of the lazy - The desire of the lazy man kills him, For his hands refuse to labor.man kills him, For his hands refuse to labor.

Tries to run away from workTries to run away from work Always focuses on the minimum that needs Always focuses on the minimum that needs

to be done to accomplish a task to be done to accomplish a task Procrastinates to the last minuteProcrastinates to the last minute Poor quality workPoor quality work

1) Hates work1) Hates work

Does not feel responsible to share in the work – Does not feel responsible to share in the work – instead relies on othersinstead relies on others

2 Thessalonians 3:11-122 Thessalonians 3:11-12 - For we hear that - For we hear that there are some who walk among you in a there are some who walk among you in a disorderly manner, not working at all, but are disorderly manner, not working at all, but are busybodies. Now those who are such we busybodies. Now those who are such we command and exhort through our Lord Jesus command and exhort through our Lord Jesus Christ that they work in quietness and eat their Christ that they work in quietness and eat their own bread.own bread.

School group project exampleSchool group project example

2) Loves sleep2) Loves sleep

Proverbs 26:14Proverbs 26:14 - As a door turns on its - As a door turns on its hinges, So does the lazy man on his bed.hinges, So does the lazy man on his bed.

Frequent naps & long hours of sleepFrequent naps & long hours of sleep If we live to be 70 and sleep 8 hours a day, If we live to be 70 and sleep 8 hours a day,

we will have slept 23 yearswe will have slept 23 years Each extra hour we sleep per day is 3 Each extra hour we sleep per day is 3

years of our life. What could we be doing years of our life. What could we be doing with this time?with this time?

2) Loves sleep2) Loves sleep

Sacrificing important activities for the sake of Sacrificing important activities for the sake of sleep (example Church attendance)sleep (example Church attendance)

Gets tired easilyGets tired easily Refuses service because overly values restRefuses service because overly values rest Ascetic practices actually produce more energyAscetic practices actually produce more energy Getting out of bed might be the hardest moment Getting out of bed might be the hardest moment

of our day, but immediately after we do we start of our day, but immediately after we do we start to awaken and become refreshedto awaken and become refreshed

When we work when tired, our bodies tend to When we work when tired, our bodies tend to renew their strengthrenew their strength

3) Makes excuses3) Makes excuses

Proverbs 26:13Proverbs 26:13 - The lazy man says, "There is a - The lazy man says, "There is a lion in the road! A fierce lion is in the streets!"lion in the road! A fierce lion is in the streets!"

Excuses we make to others – to justify ourselves Excuses we make to others – to justify ourselves to othersto others I forgotI forgot I didn’t have timeI didn’t have time I’m too busyI’m too busy It wasn’t necessaryIt wasn’t necessary

Excuses we make to ourselves – to make us feel Excuses we make to ourselves – to make us feel good about ourselvesgood about ourselves

What excuses do we make to avoid spiritual What excuses do we make to avoid spiritual activities, serving, chores, or helping others?activities, serving, chores, or helping others?

4) Wastes time & energy4) Wastes time & energy

Proverbs 18:9Proverbs 18:9 - He who is slothful in his work is a brother - He who is slothful in his work is a brother to him who is a great destroyer. to him who is a great destroyer.

Our laziness destroys the single most important resource Our laziness destroys the single most important resource we have – our timewe have – our time

Our time on earth is very limitedOur time on earth is very limited We will be judged on how we used our time – Parable of We will be judged on how we used our time – Parable of

the talentsthe talents 1 Peter 1:171 Peter 1:17 - And if you call on the Father, who without - And if you call on the Father, who without

partiality judges according to each one’s work, conduct partiality judges according to each one’s work, conduct yourselves throughout the time of your stay here in fearyourselves throughout the time of your stay here in fear

Sleep diminishes our passionSleep diminishes our passion What do we spend most of our time doing? What do we spend most of our time doing?

5) Thinks he is wise5) Thinks he is wise

Proverbs 26:16Proverbs 26:16 - The lazy man is wiser in his own eyes - The lazy man is wiser in his own eyes Than seven men who can answer sensibly.Than seven men who can answer sensibly.

Thinks he is smart for finding a way to get out of workThinks he is smart for finding a way to get out of work Thinks he is in control of his time, but actually he is a Thinks he is in control of his time, but actually he is a

slave to his desire for restslave to his desire for rest Sees those that toil in the service or in work as fools – Sees those that toil in the service or in work as fools –

always wants to take easy roadalways wants to take easy road Desires the easiest career that requires the least workDesires the easiest career that requires the least work Winning lottery would be considered the ultimate successWinning lottery would be considered the ultimate success Proverbs 6:6 Proverbs 6:6 - Go to the ant, you sluggard! Consider her - Go to the ant, you sluggard! Consider her

ways and be wiseways and be wise

Consequences of Consequences of LazinessLaziness

1) Becomes a servant1) Becomes a servant

Proverbs 12:24 Proverbs 12:24 - The hand of the diligent will rule, But - The hand of the diligent will rule, But the lazy man will be put to forced labor.the lazy man will be put to forced labor.

If we cannot rule ourselves, then someone will rule usIf we cannot rule ourselves, then someone will rule us The diligent hard-working man will be a ruler and a The diligent hard-working man will be a ruler and a

manager of othersmanager of others The lazy man will be made to work against his will to The lazy man will be made to work against his will to

repay his debtsrepay his debts The hard working man enjoys his work (no matter what it The hard working man enjoys his work (no matter what it

is), and feels that he is successful after a hard day’s work; is), and feels that he is successful after a hard day’s work; he is contenthe is content

The lazy man enjoys rest, despises work, and feels The lazy man enjoys rest, despises work, and feels frustrated if he is required to work hard – he is not contentfrustrated if he is required to work hard – he is not content

2) Comes to poverty2) Comes to poverty

Proverbs 20:4 Proverbs 20:4 - The lazy man will not plow because of - The lazy man will not plow because of winter; He will beg during harvest and have nothing.winter; He will beg during harvest and have nothing.

Example of EducationExample of Education If we are not serious and diligent in our studies now, If we are not serious and diligent in our studies now,

planning ahead for our futures, then we will reap what we planning ahead for our futures, then we will reap what we have sown in the form of a unfulfilling career and regret at have sown in the form of a unfulfilling career and regret at our missed opportunitiesour missed opportunities

The lazy man is not able to provide for himself or his The lazy man is not able to provide for himself or his family, not because he did not have opportunities, but family, not because he did not have opportunities, but because he wasted thembecause he wasted them

Proverbs 13:4Proverbs 13:4 - The soul of a lazy man desires, and has - The soul of a lazy man desires, and has nothing; But the soul of the diligent shall be made rich.nothing; But the soul of the diligent shall be made rich.

3) A destroyed house3) A destroyed house

Proverbs 24:30-34Proverbs 24:30-34 - I went by the field of the lazy man, - I went by the field of the lazy man, And by the vineyard of the man devoid of understanding; And by the vineyard of the man devoid of understanding; And there it was, all overgrown with thorns; Its surface And there it was, all overgrown with thorns; Its surface was covered with nettles; Its stone wall was broken down. was covered with nettles; Its stone wall was broken down. When I saw it, I considered it well; I looked on it and When I saw it, I considered it well; I looked on it and received instruction: A little sleep, a little slumber, A little received instruction: A little sleep, a little slumber, A little folding of the hands to rest; So shall your poverty come folding of the hands to rest; So shall your poverty come like a prowler, And your need like an armed man.like a prowler, And your need like an armed man.

The lazy man cannot maintain his houseThe lazy man cannot maintain his house Homes and families can be destroyedHomes and families can be destroyed

3) A destroyed house3) A destroyed house

Our families and relationships need Our families and relationships need constant attention, maintenance, pruning, constant attention, maintenance, pruning, and buildingand building

If we are lazy in our obligations, these If we are lazy in our obligations, these relationships will gradually fade and be relationships will gradually fade and be brokenbroken

Examples: Spending time together as a Examples: Spending time together as a family, or serving a friendfamily, or serving a friend

4) Poor self image4) Poor self image

While the lazy man might feel that he is more clever than While the lazy man might feel that he is more clever than the rest for getting out of work, deep down he feels badly the rest for getting out of work, deep down he feels badly about himselfabout himself

Work brings with it a sense of dignity and responsibilityWork brings with it a sense of dignity and responsibility While we think laziness brings comfort and rest it also While we think laziness brings comfort and rest it also

brings discontent and feeling of inadequacy and poor self brings discontent and feeling of inadequacy and poor self image. image.

When a lazy man compares himself to an industrious one, When a lazy man compares himself to an industrious one, what can he say about himself?what can he say about himself?

How do the spiritually lazy see the spiritually active?How do the spiritually lazy see the spiritually active? How do they see themselves?How do they see themselves?

5) Leads to sin5) Leads to sin

““Idle hands are the devil’s workshop”Idle hands are the devil’s workshop” If we remain idle, not working or keeping If we remain idle, not working or keeping

ourselves busy with useful activities, we ourselves busy with useful activities, we easily fall into sineasily fall into sin

Idle behavior includes excessive TV Idle behavior includes excessive TV watching and Internet usewatching and Internet use

6) Will be disciplined6) Will be disciplined

2 Thessalonians 3:102 Thessalonians 3:10 - For even when we - For even when we were with you, we commanded you this: If were with you, we commanded you this: If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat.anyone will not work, neither shall he eat.

There are physical consequences to There are physical consequences to laziness.laziness.

Poor performance Poor performance Low gradesLow grades Bad performance review at workBad performance review at work

Laziness in the spiritual Laziness in the spiritual lifelife

Prayer lifePrayer life Reading the Word of GodReading the Word of God ServiceService Church attendanceChurch attendance Bible Studies and Sunday SchoolBible Studies and Sunday School Amidst obstaclesAmidst obstacles

Sts. Maximous and Sts. Maximous and Domatius Domatius

Princes that chose the monastic lifePrinces that chose the monastic life They enjoyed all luxury in the palace but They enjoyed all luxury in the palace but

chose to forsake it for Christ’s sakechose to forsake it for Christ’s sake When they arrived in the desert, they were When they arrived in the desert, they were

tested by being asked to carve their own tested by being asked to carve their own cells from the rockcells from the rock

They happily did soThey happily did so Compare to our spiritual struggleCompare to our spiritual struggle

ConclusionConclusion

Galatians 6:9Galatians 6:9 - And let us not grow weary - And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.shall reap if we do not lose heart.