This morning as I was doing my devotions out of the book of Proverbs (I refer to the book Proverbs as my smack up the side of the head book) I noted an exceptional comment in my study bible "the lazy of this world will do anything to stay out of doing anything" So true what a oxymoron. Over my lifetime I have found a good rule of thumb to be, the less you do the less you want to do while in the opposite vein the more you do the more you want to do. This is clearly shown in our prayer life. Often times you have to press in to break through into the spirit realm where we meet with our Savior to fellowship & petition Him for our needs as well as the needs of others. Reading the Word, living out the fruit of the Spirit that God places within us on the day of our conversion. Remember it is the Lords love, His joy, His peace, His long-suffering (I know He suffered long with me), His kindness, His Goodness, His faithfulness, His gentleness, His self control. All areas of life are encompassed in this simple mindset.
While Carol & I ran Soup for the Soul soup kitchen in Lindsay the Premier of Ontario Mike Harris implemented a work fair program whereby people on social assistance had the opportunity to receive an extra $50 per month if they participated in a local works program ex. cleaning the sides of the road. They would be all excited at the additional 50 bucks but that work stuff just got in the way of their lifestyle. I would sit them down & warn them if they didn't get their act together consequences were sure to follow & low & behold they would come ranting & raving when they were cut off their social assistance because THEY DID NOT FULFILL THEIR OBLIGATIONS.
Proverbs 19:24 "The sluggard buries his hand in the dish, and will not even bring it back to his mouth. This is a picture of many in Canada today as we have become a welfare state. To a degree it is a socialist attitude whereby people believe the world owes them a living.
Now let us look at why Canada is that way today. Perchance it is because the church is not doing what it has been called to do take care of those in need. Most of you reading this will be familiar with the old adage "Don't give them the fish but rather give them the fishing pole!" When I ran for mayor in the City of Kawartha Lakes I was asked what I would do to increase the affordable housing in that area they did not like my response. You already have rules in place so it is time to enforce them, kick out those who have two or three people living in a single apartment, kick out the drug dealers & bootleggers & just by taking care of those small areas you will not need more housing as there is already plenty available.
Why is that kind of thinking not popular, because we have become a nation ruled by do-gooders & bleeding hearts= enablers. An enabler enables someone to stay in their lifestyle of choice by providing their needs & wants for them as they continue around & around the mulberry bush. This encompasses addiction, laziness, single mothers who have a kid each year for the baby bonus (sorry if my terminology is not up to date but you get my drift) while the child calls every man that comes into mommy's life daddy.
When I worked in the paper mill if I did not punch the clock & put in a full days work I did not get paid. Rules are meant to be followed (contrary to popular belief) but today in the world we live(as well as within the church) the spirit of lawlessness is rampant. The law is not in place for the law abiding citizen but the criminal who breaks the laws of the land. In Christianity the law was to be our tutor or schoolmaster but as you become mature in Christ you no longer obey it because you have to but because you want to. Not as much fearing the consequences but rather to please our Master.
Yes as the title says slacking off can be dangerous to your health, no work, no money, no food you get the drift. Spiritually if we choose to slack off & not do things the things we ought to do the end result can have eternal consequences, food for thought!
Be Blessed
Ken Gorham a servant of the Lord
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