8 Bible Verses about Idleness

And we urge you, brothers, to warn those who are idle [Note: The word "idle" originally meant, "insubordinate, or unruly." See II Thess. 3:6-7, 11], encourage those who are timid, help the [spiritually] weak and be patient with everyone.

Now we command you, brothers, in the name [i.e., by the authority] of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you people stay away from every brother [or sister] who lives an idle life [See note on I Thess. 5:14], and not according to the [inspired] tradition which you received from us. For you, yourselves, know how you ought to follow our example, for we did not live in idleness when we were among you; neither did we eat anyone's food without paying for it. But by hard labor and toil, we worked night and day so as not to be a burden to any of you.read more.
[We did this], not because we did not have a right [to support], but so we could become an example for you to imitate. For even when we were with you, we gave you this order: If any person does not [want to] work, he should not [get to] eat. For we hear that some of you are living in idleness, refusing to work, but [instead] are just being busybodies. Now we command and urge such people, in [the fellowship of] the Lord Jesus Christ, that they work quietly and earn their own living. But you, brothers, should not get tired of doing what is right. And if any person does not obey our instructions, [given] in this letter, you should take note of him so that you do not associate with him, in hope that he will become ashamed [of his conduct]. And yet do not consider him to be an enemy, but warn him as [you would] a [Christian] brother.

And on top of that, they learn to be idle, going around from house to house; and not only idle, but also gossips and busybodies, talking about things they should not be.

Even one of their own prophets said, "The people of Crete are always liars, vicious beasts and lazy gluttons."

And it is our desire that each one of you shows the same eagerness [to live for Christ], so as to be fully assured of your hope [in never ending life] until the end [of your days]. We do not want you people to be [spiritually] slack, but to imitate those who will inherit [God's] promises because of their faith and patience.

For you, yourselves, know how you ought to follow our example, for we did not live in idleness when we were among you; neither did we eat anyone's food without paying for it. But by hard labor and toil, we worked night and day so as not to be a burden to any of you. [We did this], not because we did not have a right [to support], but so we could become an example for you to imitate.