She
looks well to the ways of her household, and does not eat the bread of
idleness. (NASB)
Bread of idleness—would
that be like a cake of corruption? Well, maybe not that bad. Idleness is more
than just being lazy or without a job—it is an attitude of heart that projects worthless
and frivolous talk.
Scripture
admonishes us to not be idle or lazy. Proverbs 19:15 says, “Laziness casts into a deep sleep, and an idle man will suffer hunger”
(NASB). “And we urge you, brothers,
admonish the idle, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with
them all” 1 Thessalonians 5:14 (ESV). “At
the same time they also learn to be idle, as they go around from house to
house; and not merely idle, but also gossips and busybodies, talking about
things not proper to mention” 1 Timothy 5:13 (NASB). Probably one of the
biggest dangers we’re warned about it is not to get involved in gossip, which
really displeases God. In 2 Corinthians 12:20 it says, “For I am afraid that perhaps when I come I may find you to be not what
I wish and may be found by you to be not what you wish; that perhaps there will
be strife, jealousy, angry tempers, disputes, slanders, gossip, arrogance,
disturbance.” “He who goes about as a slanderer reveals secrets, therefore do
not associate with a gossip” Proverbs 20:19 (NASB). There are times when we
all want to just kick back and do nothing—and that is not laziness or idleness.
At the end of a stressful day I feel the need to just unwind and not do
anything in particular. Yet at other times I think that we are just too “entertained.”
Muse means to think deeply or meditate, whereas amuse means to appeal to
someone’s sense of humor. Amuse is basically mindless and is the root word for
amusement. Do we want to think deeply or to take part in a mindless activity?
The Proverbs’ lady
is an energetic lady who is always busy doing something to keep her family and
her household going. She doesn’t have time for idleness, for frivolous
amusement, or for worthless gossip. What a good example she is for us!
Dear Lord, help us to be like the Proverbs’ lady who is so industrious and such a hard worker for her family.
©
2012 by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.
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