There are two ways that we might be idle—physically and spiritually, and both are bad.  Let us begin with being idle in the physical realm.  Paul condemned this in his second letter to the brethren at Thessalonica.  At some point, the false notion that the coming of Christ was near began to be taught among them by some false teacher.  It appears that this person even forged Paul’s name in a personal letter he sent to brethren, suggesting that the day of the Lord was upon them (2 Thessalonians 2:1-2).  This caused problems in the church.

What would you do if you were convinced that Jesus was coming back within the next week or two?  Well, some of the brethren at Thessalonica decided to quit working, a predictable result of those who were persuaded that the world was about to end.  Paul, however, condemned their state of idleness and commanded brethren to withdraw from any who persisted in it.

2 Thessalonians 3:6 (ESV)
⁶ Now we command you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you keep away from any brother who is walking in idleness and not in accord with the tradition that you received from us.

The tradition that they received was something that they were taught, not only in word but more importantly, in deed.  When Paul was with them in person, he and his companions provided for themselves, working night and day (2 Thessalonians 3:7-8).  Paul certainly had the right to be supported for his preaching of the gospel (ver. 9; 1 Corinthians 9:5-15), but he determined to follow up his teaching on this subject with a good example (ver. 10).

For those who would not follow his example, he followed verse six with an even stronger admonition to take action against those who refused to work.

2 Thessalonians 3:11-12 (ESV)
¹¹ For we hear that some among you walk in idleness, not busy at work, but busybodies. ¹² Now such persons we command and encourage in the Lord Jesus Christ to do their work quietly and to earn their own living…¹⁴ If anyone does not obey what we say in this letter, take note of that person, and have nothing to do with him, that he may be ashamed.

We can see here that one sin often leads to another.  Those who quit working had nothing else to do but sit around gossiping.  Thus, the brethren were to have nothing to do with them.  Walking in idleness usually leads to bad things.  As the saying goes, “idle hands are the devil’s workshop.”  While that statement is not actually in the Bible, the principle certainly is (1 Timothy 5:13; Proverbs 18:9).  Staying busy is a good thing.  The busier we are, the less time we have for mischief.

Perhaps an even worse state than being physically idle is being idle spiritually.  To walk in idleness in the spiritual realm is to be an inactive member of the body of Christ.  Sadly, some in the church are not at all idle in the physical realm, but they do little to advance the cause of Christ.

Do you work harder for your boss at work than you do your heavenly Father?  Do you do more work around your earthly house than you do the house of the Lord?  While Paul spoke of physical work in addressing the Thessalonians, he more often spoke of laboring for the Lord (2 Corinthians 5:9; Philippians 1:22; Colossians 1:29).  Let us do all we can to be active members of the body of Christ, and not walk in idleness.

As you wind down for the night, think about these things.