The Idiocy of Idleness - GBC Bulletin Column #55

A couple of weeks ago, I wrote on what I referred to as ‘The Pitfall of Pragmatism’, in which I sought to make clear that the objective of the church is not filling seats, which can be done through all manner of means, many of which appeal to narcissists in their sin rather than convicting narcissists of their sin. The objective is glorifying God and faithfully proclaiming Christ the Lord in such a way that people are convicted of their sin and come to him as Saviour. There is, however, another very serious problem at the opposite end of the spectrum: idleness.

Idleness, as the opposite of pragmatism, is a complacent inactivity that deprives the church of needed though available resources and apathetically makes no meaningful attempt to effectively serve the church and relevantly reach the lost. Idle people often seem philosophically naked and without a clue...until they are cornered and questioned that is, at which point they might be found to cloak their sin in a faux spirituality that is nothing short of blasphemous. Workers are needed to do evangelism and it is said “God will draw those whom he wills. We should pray he will bring people to the church to hear the gospel”, instead of getting off their seats and bringing the gospel to people so that God draws those whom he wills. Financial needs are raised: “We must pray and God will provide”, instead of setting up a monthly bank transfer and being a means through which God provides. The time is short and there is much to be done: “Don’t worry. God will maximise the moment”, instead of investing time and energy to assist with the work. The statements they make are true and from more involved people might no doubt be of great comfort at times, but when spoken by an idle person they only pain those who labour while salving the consciences of the lazy. Yes, God is sovereign and not at all dependent on us to do things, but in many cases he has sovereignly chosen to use humans as his instruments to get stuff done. A person doesn’t just believe the gospel – he hears it from someone first. Money doesn’t fall from the sky – it comes out of people’s wallets and bank accounts. Time doesn’t get any longer – people learn to use it more wisely and efficiently.     

In a sermon entitled ‘Wake up! Wake up!’, Charles Spurgeon asks 

“Have you been planning? Leave off planning and get to executing your work! You have been speaking about being generous. Be generous! You have been talking about being spiritually minded. Leave off talk and get at it, man!” 

In another message called ‘The great sin of doing nothing’, he says 

“If there are any in the Church who have talent that they do not use for God, or money which they do not lay out for Christ, or time which they do not use for holy purposes, they are sinning and their sin will find them out.” 

Indeed it will, individually as a person, and corporately as a church if there is no repentance. Solomon describes (Prov. 24:30-34) how he went “by the field of a slacker and by the vineyard of a man lacking sense.” It wasn't a pretty sight: “Thistles had come up everywhere, weeds covered the ground, and the stone wall was ruined.” Why? “A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the arms to rest, and your poverty will come like a robber, your need, like a bandit.” The message? Don’t be an idle idiot. 

To quote Spurgeon again in conclusion, 

"Go in for the highest possible form of devotion and service! We have lived long enough at this poor half-and-half rate. If there is any higher platform, may the Lord lift us up to it! If there is a way of living—spirit, soul and body—wholly, unreservedly devoted every moment to the Lord, oh may His Spirit conduct us into such a state!"

This was printed in the worship bulletin of Grace Baptist Church (Wood Green) on 13 July 2014.