Levo
Bible verses for laziness
When I just can't be bothered
The lie
I'll do it when I feel like it.
The truth
Your work, your family and your faith are worth showing up for. Small steps, done faithfully, add up to a life.
More truth
- Motivation follows action, not the other way round.
- Five minutes is enough to start.
- Rest is good. Hiding isn't rest.
Pause
Stop. Breathe. You don't need to feel like it. You only need to start, for five minutes.
My verses
Do not let your zeal subside; keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.
Whatever you do, work at it with your whole being, for the Lord and not for men, because you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as your reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.
The slacker craves yet has nothing, but the soul of the diligent is fully satisfied.
Pay careful attention, then, to how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil.
Walk in the manner of the ant, O slacker; observe its ways and become wise. Without a commander, without an overseer or ruler, it prepares its provisions in summer; it gathers its food at harvest.
Whatever you find to do with your hands, do it with all your might, for in Sheol, where you are going, there is no work or planning or knowledge or wisdom.
Let us not grow weary in well-doing, for in due time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.
I went past the field of a slacker and by the vineyard of a man lacking judgment. Thorns had grown up everywhere, thistles had covered the ground, and the stone wall was broken down. I observed and took it to heart; I looked and received instruction: A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest, and poverty will come upon you like a robber, and need like a bandit.
For even while we were with you, we gave you this command: “If anyone is unwilling to work, he shall not eat.” Yet we hear that some of you are leading undisciplined lives and accomplishing nothing but being busybodies. We command and urge such people by our Lord Jesus Christ to begin working quietly to earn their own living.
The hand of the diligent will rule, but laziness ends in forced labor.
We want each of you to show this same diligence to the very end, in order to make your hope sure. Then you will not be sluggish, but will imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised.
Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast and immovable. Always excel in the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.
Idle hands make one poor, but diligent hands bring wealth.
Pray
Lord, I don't feel like doing what I should. Give me the strength to start. Help me do this work for You, not for applause. Wake my heart up again. Amen.
Your way out
- Set a 5-minute timer and start the smallest part.
- Stand up and move: change rooms or go outside.
- Put the phone out of reach while you work.
- Tell someone what you'll have done by tonight.
- Do the hardest thing first.
Tired or lazy?
If you're constantly drained, it might be burnout, not laziness. Rest properly. Sabbath is God's idea too.
Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.
Go deeper: Faithful in small things
Five days in the Bible on this, one passage a day.
- The ant Proverbs 6:6-11
- The buried talent Matthew 25:14-30
- Working for the Lord Colossians 3:17-24
- Never tire of doing good 2 Thessalonians 3:6-13
- Rest and work Mark 6:30-34