Family Ministry Moments - July 2026

Let’s Get to Work
Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord." — Romans 12:11 (ESV)

Laziness is not something Scripture treats lightly. Throughout the Bible, we find repeated exhortations to work hard, be diligent, and avoid idleness. In Romans 12:11, the ESV uses the word slothful, a term that describes more than simply taking an afternoon nap or enjoying a day of rest. Sloth refers to a lifestyle of laziness marked by a lack of effort and passion.

Paul calls believers to do the opposite—to be diligent, but not merely busy. He is not advocating activity for activity's sake. Instead, he tells us to be fervent in spirit. Paul understood that Christians are often tempted toward spiritual laziness. If we are not intentional, the things of God can be crowded out by everyday life.

Work demands our attention. Family responsibilities fill our schedules. Children, household chores, repairs, hobbies, television shows, and endless forms of entertainment all compete for our focus. None of these things are necessarily bad, but they can cause our spiritual lives to take a back seat. Paul warns us not to fall behind in this area.

I often think of shopping with my wife. She moves through the store like someone on a mission. Meanwhile, I tend to wander the aisles, looking at interesting products, checking sales, and getting distracted by whatever catches my eye. Before long, I'm lagging behind. In much the same way, the world can distract us from what truly matters, leaving us spiritually behind where we should be.

Hebrews addresses this problem. In Hebrews 5:12–14, the author rebukes believers who should have been mature enough to teach others by now. Instead, they still needed someone to teach them the basic truths of the faith. He compares them to infants who still need milk rather than adults who can handle solid food. This is what spiritual stagnation looks like.

Many believers fail to mature, not because they lack ability, but because they fail to apply themselves. The difference is not natural ability or giftedness. Growth comes through consistent effort and intentional pursuit of God.

Think about the areas of life where growth is expected. If you want to excel at your job, you work hard. If you want to build strength, you exercise. If you want a healthy marriage, you invest time and effort into it. Spiritual growth is no different.

Coming to faith in Christ does not eliminate the need for spiritual effort. Rather, faith should motivate us to pursue God even more eagerly. We should desire to know His Word, pray, resist temptation, and grow in obedience.

We are not working merely for self-improvement. Paul says we are to serve the Lord. Our effort is directed toward Him and motivated by His glory. As we grow spiritually, a natural result is a life of service. This is the pattern Christ Himself modeled. In Mark 10, Jesus explained that He came not to be served but to serve, and He called His followers to do the same.

Every believer should be actively investing in others. The local church provides many opportunities, but service is not limited to church programs. You can serve your neighbors, your community, your coworkers, or people across the world through missions. Use the gifts, resources, and strength God has given you to bless others.

There is joy in this work. Serving gives purpose to many other aspects of life. We were created to know God, glorify Him, and serve others. Let's get to work!