Question regarding sloth in the bible

[Luke Henao]

Often when the sin of laziness or sloth is mentioned in the bible, it is in the instance where the laziness would then lead to poverty. If a person became rich enough at a young age to have enough money to sustain themselves for the rest of their lives, would they then be guilty of sloth if they retired and no longer worked?

 

[OldWiseGuy]

Often when the sin of laziness or sloth is mentioned in the bible, it is in the instance where the laziness would then lead to poverty. If a person became rich enough at a young age to have enough money to sustain themselves for the rest of their lives, would they then be guilty of sloth if they retired and no longer worked?

Such a person would be able to provide for their own needs through spending and so would not suffer the effects of sloth, and would thereby contribute to the economy of the community. Also such a person would probably be active in ways other than work that would contribute to the general economy.

 

[Sarah G]

I don't think it is so much a question of gainful employment. Once one has worked enough to earn one's bread and roof (and provide for their family where applicable) then one is free to engage in other activities which may or may not be seen as work. If one is in a position not to have to work for their bread and roof they would need to avoid becoming sloth-like by having a good routine, conducive to spiritual life:

Getting up early (or at least not late!)
Morning prayer and or Bible study
Get moderate exercise
Do voluntary work where able and applicable
Attend to personal hygiene
Cook or prepare reasonably healthy foodstuffs
Be an active member of a church or online community (if able and desired)
Get to bed at a reasonable time (don't fall asleep with your head in a pizza box at 3am)

In these times of computers and robots many of us find ourselves no longer expected to work and are simply given our bread and roof (universal basic income) with little or nothing required in return. It seems prudent to avoid turning into a sloth

 

[Radagast]

Often when the sin of laziness or sloth is mentioned

The sin of acedia or sloth is a tricky one. The Catholic Church defines it as "refusing the joy that comes from God."

It includes all forms of refusing spiritually beneficial activity. Retired people, and the unemployed, should still do something of value.