There should never be a lazy Christian. There, I said it. Hard work should be a hallmark of a true Christian.
A lazy Christian is a bad testimony for other people, especially to those who have yet to commit their lives to Jesus. Even Jesus worked. He was known as the carpenter’s son. It would be safe to assume that before Jesus started His ministry, He worked with His earthly father, Joseph, in his shop as a carpenter.
It is clearly commanded by the Apostle Paul in this portion of scripture: 2 Thessalonians 3:10, “Even while we were with you, we gave you this command: ‘Those unwilling to work will not get to eat.’” Those are tough words. Biblical commentator, Matthew Henry explain this to us, “Industry in our callings as men, is a duty required by our calling as Christians.”
Hard work or industriousness is the duty of a Christian. We cannot be idle. Sure, there are times and circumstances when we have no work or we may have been terminated from our job, a finished contract, or some other situation. All these things are valid but it should not cause us to remain idle.
Industry in our callings as men, is a duty required by our calling as Christians. — Matthew Henry
We cannot depend on others for our needs. We are not to be a burden for others, even if they are family. Even the Apostle worked as a tentmaker so that he would not be a burden to his host while in Corinth, Acts 18:1-3. We should strive to be productive members of God’s kingdom because all Christians represent it. We should not allow ourselves to model laziness and idleness to children. We are to be examples of people who are able to work for the glory of God.