This chapter contains more practical guidelines and warnings against evil / adultery.
“Go to the ant, O sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise. Without having any chief, officer, or ruler, she prepares her bread in summer and gathers her food in harvest. How long will you lie there, O sluggard? When will you arise from your sleep? A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest, and poverty will come upon you like a robber, and want like an armed man.” (v6-11)
This block of verses warns against laziness. For those who choose to put in a minimal effort, working as little as possible, and prioritizing leisure / entertainment over more productive behaviors, they will suffer consequences.
Work, as defined in the Bible, is meaningful service. This is not necessarily a paid position, though we may receive an income for service. Work is serving God and others with our hands and words (though many may choose to serve only themselves).
This is tied into obedience / disobedience of God. God says it is good for us to work for sustenance (eg. 1 Tim 5:8) and that we will have toil (hard work) because of sin and the curse (see Gen 3:17-19). He also makes it one of the Ten Commandments to labor for six days per week and take one Sabbath day off (see Ex 20:8-11).
If we’re struggling to serve God as often as we should, or if we’re struggling to get the necessary rest we need, then God wants to help us prioritize those activities correctly. There will be seasons where we will have to work more, or less, though on average it is good to work roughly 35% of our week. God allows the rest of our time to be spent on things like leisure, sleep, entertainment, etc. That sounds very reasonable to me (God is never unreasonable, as far as I can tell). If we do our best to fulfill the way He has created us, and obey the commands He gives us, we will find joy and blessing in all that we do in His service.
Father God, our Glorious and Providing Lord, we thank you for the gift of work. You have said it’s good for us to serve You and Your people in alignment with Your will. May we learn to do this willingly, and with appropriate amounts of effort, as guided by Your word and Spirit. Please guide us each moment of every day, helping us to adjust our schedule in obedience to You. In the name of Jesus, who displayed the perfect balance of service and rest, amen.
~ Conqueror in Training