September 12
The Cost
of Laziness
"Those who work their land will have plenty of food. But those who chase dreams that have no meaning will not have anything."
Proverbs 12:11 (NIrV)
Chris slumped on the couch, scrolling through his phone. His parents were in the kitchen, speaking in hushed voices, but he knew exactly what they were talking about—him.
At 18, he had finished school months ago but hadn’t bothered looking for a job. He hated the idea of waking up early, working long hours, and answering to a boss. It all felt pointless. But he did need money—money for clothes, for nights out with his friends, for new games. And that meant asking his parents. Again.
He walked into the kitchen, leaning against the fridge. “Mum, can I have twenty bucks? I’m meeting the guys later.”
His mother sighed, glancing at his father. Chris knew that look. It meant trouble.
“No, Chris,” his dad said firmly. “You need to find a job. We’re not giving you money anymore.”
Chris clenched his fists. “Are you serious? What am I supposed to do?”
His mother’s eyes filled with sadness. “Get a job, sweetheart. We love you, but this can’t go on. You’re old enough to earn your own way.”
Chris felt rage bubble up inside him. “You just don’t want to help me! You don’t care!” he snapped. He stormed out, slamming the door behind him.
As the door shook from the impact, his mother turned away, blinking back tears. His father ran a tired hand over his face.
“I hate this,” his mum whispered. “I want to help him. I want to give him everything.”
His dad nodded. “Me too. But if we keep handing him money, we’re not helping him—we’re hurting him. He has to feel the need to work, or he never will.”
She wiped her eyes. “I just hope he understands one day.”
Chris stomped down the street, stuffing his hands into his pockets. His parents had always been there for him, always provided. So why were they suddenly so cruel? Why did they want him to struggle?
His phone buzzed. It was a text from his friend Jake: Hey, my boss is hiring. You interested?
Chris almost ignored it. A job? No thanks. But then he thought about his parents. The pain in his mum’s eyes. The disappointment in his dad’s voice. He hated making them feel that way.
He looked up at the sky. “God… I don’t know if You’re listening, but… maybe they’re right. Maybe I do need to step up.”
For the first time in months, Chris made a decision that didn’t involve sitting on the couch. He texted Jake back. Yeah. I’ll give it a shot.
The next day, he went for an interview at a local warehouse. The work was hard, and by the end of his shift, his body ached in places he didn’t know existed. But when he got his first paycheck, a strange feeling washed over him—pride.
That night, he handed his mum a twenty-dollar bill. “For groceries,” he said awkwardly.
Tears welled in her eyes as she hugged him. His father clapped him on the shoulder. “Proud of you, son.”
For the first time, Chris understood. His parents hadn’t been trying to punish him. They had been teaching him to stand on his own. And as he held that paycheck, he realized that working his own land—his own future—felt a lot better than begging for scraps.
Prayer:
Heavenly Father,
Thank You for the wisdom that comes from hard work and responsibility.
Forgive me for the times I have been lazy or taken blessings for granted.
Help me to see the value in perseverance and to trust that You have given me the strength to stand on my own.
May I honor my family, myself, and You by working diligently and using my gifts wisely.
In Jesus' name, Amen.
