If it is true that one can tell something of the relative importance of an issue by the number of times it is addressed in scripture, then there are few subjects more important than that of avoiding idleness. In the book of Proverbs there are many passages that address this issue either from the proprespective of avoiding idleness (Proverbs 18:9) or from that of admonitions to diligence (Proverbs 12:11). We are supposed to be busy people. Staying busy not only provides for our material necessities but also helps to keep us out of trouble. Many popular sayings have to do with the danger of “idle hands” or “idle minds”. One who is busy with their own affairs has very little time to meddle in the affairs of others. One who is diligently involved in doing the things that God has given us to do has little time or energy left to go places we shouldn’t go or do things we shouldn’t do. In 1 Timothy 5:11-13 the apostle Paul warns that if younger widows are taken into the number of those supported by the church, “...they learn to be idle, wandering about from house to house, and not only idle but also gossips and busybodies…”. Let us always strive to be busy with the work that God has given us to do.