Stewardship Of LeisureChikamu

Godly Leisure 

Different people enjoy themselves in their own different ways. One man’s fun could be another man’s boredom.

So, one cannot give a list of leisure activities that are godly and ones that are not. But we can definitely apply some biblical principles to make sure that we do not misuse them.

Most sports activities should be fine to attend or to participate. Sports events can be wonderful opportunities for Christian outreach as well. They are a non-threatening context for developing relationships with non-Christians. But care needs to be taken that it does not become an idol and excessive time is spent on it at the cost of other relationships.

Games are similar to sports, but they do not require any athletic ability. A certain amount of physical ability is required in order to play organized sports such as football, basketball, cricket, etc., or even individual sports such as tennis and swimming. Games require little physical ability, but often require at least some mental effort. The recreation involved is found in either beating chance or showing superior strategy against an opponent. There are also all sorts of board games and mental challenges such as Sudoku and crossword puzzles.

Entertainment is another large area of leisure activities. Entertainment would cover those things in which you are the spectator. This would include movies, TV, theater and concerts. One must evaluate not only the use of time and finances, but also the moral message of entertainment. Some entertainment is glorifying to God. Some is neutral while some can lead to evil.

Christians should check out the moral content of entertainment before you see it. We must be careful of what we feed our mind through the eye gate and the ear gate. We must put godly filters in what we see and hear, so that only that which is profitable enters in. 

We must remember that what entertains us, changes us. What we feed our minds will ultimately control our actions. Jesus explained that desiring something illicit in our minds is a transgression of God’s law even if we don’t act on the thought: “You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ But I say to you that whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart” (Matthew 5:27-28).

So it is vital to keep our minds and hearts clean and pure. This means a Christian should avoid any kind of entertainment that would cause him or her to desire to violate God’s law and way of life.

Other leisure activities can also include gardening or going for walks or going fishing or swimming or cycling. 

Leisure is necessary, but we should be careful how much time we allot to certain activities, what those activities are and whether they contribute to building us up in any positive way (even if it’s simply to help us rest). If our leisure isn’t helping to build us up, it’s likely a hindrance that is distracting us.

Quote: We are quite persuaded that the very best way for you to be spending your leisure time, is to be either reading or praying. You may get much instruction from books which afterwards you may use as a true weapon in your Lord and Master’s service. Paul cries, “Bring the books” — join in the cry. - Charles Spurgeon. 

Prayer: Lord, I thank You for the gift of leisure. Help me to enjoy it and not to misuse it. Amen.