Regular Dispatch: Are You called Lazy!

“But require them to make the same number of bricks as before; don't reduce the quota. They are lazy; that is why they are crying out, 'Let us go and sacrifice to our God.' Make the work harder for the men so that they keep working and pay no attention to lies.” Ex 5:8, 9

Pharaoh said, "Lazy, that's what you are—lazy! That is why you keep saying, 'Let us go and sacrifice to the LORD.' Ex 5:17

There are supreme truths in these verses. So deep are its implications that it murmurs wisdom even in this present age. Work in any form has been the prime need of man if he or she were to survive in this world. Being a depraved and fallen creature, the urge to control and lord-over another is inherent in every human being. In history the strong and mighty took advantage of this fallen state of mankind. Thus came to practice the evil of slavery.

Though we pride in the abolition of slavery, its remnants still exist in different forms in many societies – even in ours.

The subtle truth here is this – if the adversary is not happy with your work when you are a slave, how can he be happy when you are salaried? The moment you dedicate more time for God and his purposes, you will hear from your manager and co-workers. With the passage of time you will be labeled lazy! [Ex 5:8, 9, 17]

If we understand what the Pharaoh (our employer or friends) wants, we will clearly understand what our Lord wants. There is and will not be any agreement between both.

1. The Pharaoh would like you to slave for him and die in Egypt but God want you to live for him, worship Him in freedom and be a light to the Nations.
2. The Pharaoh will call you lazy, because he considers worship a desperate act by the poor to escape. But God is unequivocal when he demands that you are saved from slavery to “HIMSELF” [Ex 19:4]

I am not discouraging hard work. For as long as we live on this earth, this is our portion. “Work” in the grand scheme of things has its place and purpose. But when the divine comes calling, ask the mighty Lord to smite (drown) the Pharaoh so that you can get to Mount Sinai to hear Him (our Lord) speak.

There will be no balance, peace or compromise between our “work” and the “work of His Kingdom.” In executing our worldly responsibilities do we ignore our heavenly calling? The righteous will give priority to the “Work of His Kingdom”. This is where the lasting reward lay. [Ph 3:7, 8]

How will we deal with the following?

1. “Surely if I take this job I will have more financial stability but because of the added responsibility I am unable to be active in Church or His Kingdom.”


2. “Man! My promotion is coming up. This time I have a chance to lead a small team.” In taking a decision to assume this new position, does your Christian calling to spread the message and growth in Christ come into consideration at all?


3. Am I starting a business so that I will have the freedom to choose my own schedule (hence find time to progress the kingdom) and spend money for the expansion of the Kingdom?


4. Will you downgrade to a low paying job (or a part-time job) because you can spend more time for the Kingdom or will you do it for leisure?


5. “Hey man, I am struggling to decide whether to use my vacation on a cruise or a mission trip”


6. The disciples waited in prayer for 10 days before the Holy Spirit came down in power. Realizing this can we say “I would like to use this year’s vacation on a tarry meeting”.


7. There are 168 hours in a week. Forget worship; how much time did we spend working for the Kingdom – Intercessory prayer, preaching the gospel to the lost, praying for the sick, helping your fellow brothers and sisters, visiting the nearby orphanage or hospitals, distributing gospel tracts, being in fasting and prayer for Austin or your fellow believers …..

But off course, we are too wise and civilized. How could we think like this? If we are not fanatic for Christ, how can we follow Christ who was fanatic about his Father!