Stewardship Of LeisureSample

Misuse Of Leisure 

As we can be sinful in our work, we can also be sinful in our leisure.

It was W.N. Taylor who said, “Temptation rarely comes in working hours, it is in their leisure time that men are made or marred.”

Leisure is not the same thing as idleness. It is not the absence of activity but the promotion of activities that have their own reward—i.e. mental, physical and spiritual refreshment. There is no biblical endorsement of retirement from work for the sake of living in leisure.

The advantage of leisure is mainly that we have the power of choosing our work; not, certainly, that it confers any privilege of idleness.

But leisure can be misused as a means of promoting sinful lust for pleasure. 

The love of sinful pleasure is consistent with sinful man. James 5:5 says, “Ye have lived in pleasure on the earth, and been wanton; ye have nourished your hearts, as in a day of slaughter.” And 1 Timothy 5:6 says – “But she that liveth in pleasure is dead while she liveth.”

The Bible also tells us that pleasures and activities can become gods. 2 Timothy 3:1-4 says, “This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, traitors, heady, high minded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God.”

We can also confuse leisure with worldly pursuits. Luke 12:19-20 says, “And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry. But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee. . .”

The goal of leisure is not to enjoy the pleasures of the world. It is to enjoy God through His creation. Much of our leisure time should be spent in activities that are for our spiritual well being. When our desire for leisure makes us forget that Christianity is a life of sacrifice and when our focus upon this world and its pleasures become a priority, we forget the higher priority of service and sacrifice.

The Christian is called to live in Christ and enjoy His rich blessings and His gracious goodness. This can be found in both work and leisure but care needs to be taken that one does not misuse leisure for sinful pleasures.

The man who is seeking to honor Christ with his whole heart is not burdened by guilt over leisure. Leisure for him does not stem from a desire to escape work nor is it motivated by the sinful pursuit of pleasure. It is simply another means of pursuing Christ.

Quote: “Guard well your spare moments. They are like uncut diamonds. Discard them and their value will never be known. Improve them and they will become the brightest gems in a useful life.” - Ralph Waldo Emerson

Prayer: Lord, help me not to misuse the spare moments of life. Help me to use my leisure time profitably and not to misuse it. Amen