Leisure, and pastimes

Scripture gives examples of many different kinds of leisure activity.

Necessary leisure activities

Sleeping

Psalm 127:2; Ecclesiastes 5:12 See also Psalm 4:8; Mark 4:38; Acts 12:6

In vain you rise early and stay up late, toiling for bread to eat — for He gives sleep to His beloved.

The sleep of the worker is sweet, whether he eats little or much, but the abundance of the rich man permits him no sleep.

Eating and drinking

Genesis 24:54; Ecclesiastes 3:13

Pleasurable pastimes

And whenever the spirit from God came upon Saul, David would pick up his harp and play. Then Saul would find relief and feel better, and the spirit of distress would depart from him.

Dancing

Ecclesiastes 3:4 Exodus 15:20; Judges 11:34; 1 Samuel 18:6; Job 21:11; Jeremiah 31:4; Judges 21:19–21; Mark 6:22 dancing in revelry; 2 Samuel 6:14–16, 2 Samuel 6:21; Psalm 149:3, Psalm 150:4

a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance,

Physical recreation

1 Timothy 4:8 See also 1 Corinthians 9:24–27 Although Paul never mentions Christians taking part in the games (which were often associated with pagan festivals), he does show an appreciation of the discipline necessary; 2 Timothy 2:5

For physical exercise is of limited value, but godliness is valuable in every way, holding promise for the present life and for the one to come.

Gardening

Ecclesiastes 2:5–6 See also Genesis 2:15

I made gardens and parks for myself, where I planted all kinds of fruit trees. I built reservoirs to water my groves of flourishing trees.

Enjoyment of nature

Psalm 8:3, Psalm 104:10–14

Sightseeing

Mark 13:1; Acts 17:16

Education and literature

Ecclesiastes 1:13 See also 1 Kings 4:32–34; Esther 6:1; Proverbs 1:5; Ecclesiastes 12:12; Acts 17:21; 2 Timothy 4:13

And I set my mind to seek and explore by wisdom all that is done under heaven. What a miserable task God has laid upon the sons of men to occupy them!

Children's games

Zechariah 8:5 See also Matthew 11:16–17 parallel Luke 7:32

And the streets of the city will be filled with boys and girls playing there.”

Harmful pastimes

Licentious amusements

1 Peter 4:3 See also Genesis 9:20–21; Exodus 32:19; Proverbs 23:29–30; Romans 13:13; Ephesians 5:4, Ephesians 5:12

For you have spent enough time in the past carrying out the same desires as the Gentiles: living in debauchery, lust, drunkenness, orgies, carousing, and detestable idolatry.

Cruel amusements

Judges 16:25; 2 Samuel 2:14