Scripture affirms that periods of rest and leisure are part of God's creation order. These periods of rest are to be used wisely.
The need for leisure
The Sabbath rest
Genesis 2:2; Exodus 20:8–10 parallel Deuteronomy 5:12–15 See also Exodus 23:11 During the sabbath year, the labourers presumably also rested; Leviticus 23:3
And by the seventh day God had finished the work He had been doing; so on that day He rested from all His work.
Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the LORD your God, on which you must not do any work— neither you, nor your son or daughter, nor your manservant or maidservant or livestock, nor the foreigner within your gates.
Rest commanded by Jesus Christ
And He said to them, “Come with Me privately to a solitary place, and let us rest for a while.” For many people were coming and going, and they did not even have time to eat. So they went away in a boat by themselves to a solitary place.
Leisure a gift of God
Psalm 23:2 See also Matthew 11:28; Mark 2:27; Revelation 14:13
He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside quiet waters.
Loss of leisure a judgment
Isaiah 48:22 See also Ecclesiastes 2:23, Ecclesiastes 5:12; Isaiah 57:20–21; Revelation 14:11
“There is no peace,” says the LORD, “for the wicked.”
Responsible use of leisure
Work must come first
Remember God's presence
1 Corinthians 10:31 See also Ecclesiastes 9:7–10
So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all to the glory of God.
Use time wisely
Pay careful attention, then, to how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil.
The dangers of leisure
Idleness
1 Timothy 5:13 See also Proverbs 6:9–11, Proverbs 24:30–31, Proverbs 26:14; Ecclesiastes 10:18; 2 Thessalonians 3:11; Hebrews 6:12
At the same time they will also learn to be idle, going from house to house and being not only idle, but also gossips and busybodies, discussing things they should not mention.
Preoccupation with pleasure
Luke 8:14 See also Proverbs 21:17; Isaiah 5:11; Luke 15:13; 1 Timothy 5:6; 2 Timothy 3:4; James 5:5
The seeds that fell among the thorns are those who hear, but as they go on their way, they are choked by the worries, riches, and pleasures of this life, and their fruit does not mature.
Susceptibility to sin
1 Timothy 5:13 See also 2 Samuel 11:1–5; Esther 1:10–11; Amos 4:1
At the same time they will also learn to be idle, going from house to house and being not only idle, but also gossips and busybodies, discussing things they should not mention.
Spiritual complacency
Amos 6:1, Amos 6:4–7 See also Isaiah 5:11–13; Luke 12:16–21, Luke 21:34
Woe to those at ease in Zion and those secure on Mount Samaria, the distinguished ones of the foremost nation, to whom the house of Israel comes.
You lie on beds inlaid with ivory, and lounge upon your couches. You dine on lambs from the flock and calves from the stall. You improvise songs on the harp like David and invent your own musical instruments. You drink wine by the bowlful and anoint yourselves with the finest oils, but you fail to grieve over the ruin of Joseph. Therefore, you will now go into exile as the first of the captives, and your feasting and lounging will come to an end.
Related themes
Dictionary of Bible Themes © 1999 Martin Manser, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0, via Bible Aquifer. Formatted for this site, with Scripture from the Berean Standard Bible.