Don’t Eat the Bread: Choosing Diligence over Idleness

It was an afternoon like many others. The kids trickled out from their rest times, looking for a snack and itching to see if the neighbor kids could play. I lingered on my perch in bed, not quite ready to go about the remainder of the day and everything it entailed. It had been a long night with the baby, and some chronic physical ailments were giving me a bit of trouble. But rather than taking the opportunity to close my eyes when all was quiet, I had begun mindless scrolling on my phone. Just a few minutes, I told myself. But a few minutes turned to many minutes of unproductive screen time, which never leaves one quite as refreshed as we tell ourselves it will. 

Now, rather than facing the rest of my day rejuvenated and with a sense of purpose, I was just as tired, but also irritated and completely lacking motivation. I knew I had squandered the opportunity to rest on laziness instead, and I could already feel its cascading effects in my mind, heart, and body. I’m sorry, Lord, I silently prayed. Please give me the grace to be faithful. Even though some consequences lingered, He truly did give the grace to return to a place of faithful diligence—just as He always does.

The Bread of Idleness

The Lord has used one particular verse countless times to convict and encourage me when I’m faced with the temptation to slide into laziness. It flits across my mind in those moments of decision, giving me a little prompt toward diligence. Proverbs 31 says,

She looks well to the ways of her household, and does not eat the bread of idleness. (v. 27 ESV)

Some translations simply say “is never idle,” but the picture painted is particularly sharp. Why? Because idleness isn’t just an end in itself; it results in other repercussions. It becomes the gateway to a way of life that is not in alignment with the holiness we’ve been called to in Christ. 

Speaking of the bread of idleness, perhaps you can think of other “baked goods” that laziness produces. I’ve already hinted at a few that I’ve experienced . . . here are some specifics:

• Covetousness/discontent  
• Gossip/hasty or harmful words
• Overspending 
• Disorder in our homes and lives
• Out of control kids
• Broken commitments (and becoming untrustworthy)
• Frustration/unrighteous anger 
• Stagnation/immaturity
• Sexual sin
• Restlessness

When we let our guard down and think that a little less diligence won’t hurt us, we’re simply deceiving ourselves. The account of David and Bathsheba is one example. Rather than lead his men out to battle, David chose to stay back, and we get no indication that this was for some important purpose. In fact, right before seeing Bathsheba the Bible records that “David got up from his bed and strolled around the roof of his palace” (2 Sam. 11:2). So rather than being out with his men or getting sleep, his idleness caused him to come face-to-face with temptation. Ultimately, he would give in to sin that would have far-reaching consequences for himself and those he was supposed to be leading and protecting (see 2 Sam. 11:1–12:23).

First Peter 5:8 says, “Be sober-minded, be alert. Your adversary the devil is prowling around like a roaring lion, looking for anyone he can devour.” The consequences of an idle heart might seem small at first—a snippy attitude or an extra pile of laundry—but they only grow if repeatedly acted upon. 

This is why it’s so important to turn away the moment we realize we’ve slipped into idleness. Because we still live in bodies of flesh that are, by default, prone to seeking the most comfortable way, we’ll continue to face the temptation to be idle until the day we die. However, through Jesus we’ve been given the grace to live diligent lives for His glory. This is truly the most freeing way to live. 

Warning to Women

One Scripture passage contains a particular warning for women in regard to idleness. Here, Paul is making the case for why young widows should marry again rather than be provided for by the church, but I believe the principle behind it can be applied to women in nearly any circumstance.

At the same time, they also learn to be idle, going from house to house; they are not only idle, but are also gossips and busybodies, saying things they shouldn’t say. Therefore, I want younger women to marry, have children, manage their households, and give the adversary no opportunity to accuse us. For some have already turned away to follow Satan. (1 Timothy 5:13–15)

God’s Word doesn’t beat around the bush, does it? Idleness leads to some significant outcomes. These warnings might be even more necessary today because the pull toward idleness is exacerbated by the technology at our fingertips. We can go “from house to house” without leaving our living room. We can gossip and slander without so much as opening our mouths. As Christian women we must take this seriously. 

The Bread of Faithfulness

Diligence will look different for each of us, and the Bible gives direction for every woman living a faithful life—single, married, younger, and older. Here are some evidences of “eating the bread of faithfulness” in a woman’s life:

• Joyful service 
• Showing hospitality
• Teaching our children (or others’ children) in the ways of the Lord
• Discipling younger women
• Living self-controlled lives
• Managing our homes with care
• Being quick to confess sin in wisdom
• Making wise decisions
• Functioning in kindness and patience
• Working with excellence in the marketplace

Two Misconceptions 

There are, however, two common misconceptions regarding idleness. 

First, we often wrongly equate faithfulness and living a disciplined life with perfection: perfect home, perfect schedule, perfect systems, etc. Essentially, we measure it by our own personal standard (which is often hard to pin down). However, a diligent life begins with the disposition of our heart.

We all go through seasons when our physical ability is limited by circumstances beyond our control: sickness of ourselves or a loved one, little ones scurrying around faster than we can pick up after them, needing to drop everything to help another in a crisis. And if we measure diligence simply by some abstract standard it’s the perfect breeding ground for discouragement. Many times I’ve cried to my husband at the end of a long day when it looks like I have nothing to show for it. “But did you seek to do what God put in front of you to do?” he’ll ask. “Then that’s all that matters.” God knows our hearts, and that’s what matters the most. 

The second misconception is that diligence is frantic work that leaves no room for rest—that somehow it’s more holy to drive ourselves into the ground acting like we are above the need for reprieve. But this isn’t living faithfully according to God’s definition. He made us to live in a rhythm of work and rest (Exodus 20:9–10). In fact, when in their proper place, both become more satisfying and productive. As we look to Him for wisdom and grace to order our days, He gives it in abundance. Jesus’ words to His disciples after they’d poured themselves out become a comfort: “Come away by yourselves to a remote place and rest for a while” (Mark 6:31).

Look to Jesus

In our desire to order our lives well, it’s easy to tie ourselves up in knots and fixate on what we should do. But there are many ways we can practice diligence, all of which can be good choices in a given moment. If this is our focus, we’ll become stressed out or paralyzed and discouraged and fall back into idleness. So rather than trying to be diligent in our own strength, we should pause and fix our eyes on Christ. 

Jesus’ words to Martha put an exclamation point on this topic. She was frustrated with Mary for sitting at the feet of Jesus rather than helping her with all the tasks that had to be done. 

The Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and upset about many things, 
but one thing is necessary. Mary has made the right choice, and it will not be taken away from her.” (Luke 10:41–42)

What Martha mistook as idleness was actually Mary’s display of adoration of Christ. Her heart’s desire was to learn from Him in order to live in a way that pleased Him. And this is the foundation of a truly faithful life. He is the source of grace and wisdom by which we can live in a manner that brings Him glory.