The Christian’s Use of Leisure

GOLDEN TEXT: “Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.” —I Corinthians 10:31

MATTHEW 6:33; MARK 6:30-32

JESUS’ admonition, “Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness,” supplements the Golden Text. In whatever way a consecrated Christian uses his time, whether in direct service of the Lord, providing the material needs of life, or in relaxing and resting, all should be done to the glory of God, and with the thought uppermost in mind of making one’s calling and election sure and receiving an abundant entrance into the rulership aspect of the kingdom of heaven.

There is little said in the Bible about the rest periods of God’s servants. The Bible is concerned primarily with recording their activities—not their rest and recreational periods, although without doubt they did enjoy such periods. The human body is constituted in such a manner as to need rest. A certain number of hours of sleep are essential out of every twenty-four hours. God designed that one day in seven should be a day of rest.

Our lesson records one time when Jesus thought it advisable for him and his disciples to take a rest. It had been a very busy time for them. Much excitement had been engendered by the execution of John the Baptist. Crowds were pressing in upon the Master and his disciples, so much so that they did not have enough time to themselves even to eat. Because of this, Jesus said, “Come ye yourselves apart into a desert place, and rest a while.”

Responding to this invitation, Jesus and his disciples entered a ship and crossed over the lake, hoping to get away from the throng, but they did not succeed. The people saw what was happening and thousands of them hurried around the shore of the lake and met the ship when it reached the other side. While Jesus had sought rest for himself and his disciples, when he saw this crowd of people who, as the record states, were without a shepherd, his heart was filled with compassion. So, instead of resting, he taught them many things. It was toward the close of this same day that Jesus fed this multitude of people with the loaves and fishes.

I CORINTHIANS 6:12-14, 19, 20

This portion of the lesson emphasizes that we are bought with a price, even the precious blood of Jesus, and therefore we are to glorify God in all that we do. This applies to what we do with our leisure time, as well as to our periods of activity, whether in direct service of the Lord, or in providing for the temporal necessities of life.

There are certain things which, while not wrong in themselves, can well be given up by the Christian, especially if our practice of them might be a stumbling block to others. In the days of the Early Church, eating meat offered to idols was one of these. Those strong in the faith, and completely delivered from superstition, knew that the meat was not contaminated by its being offered to idols, so they could eat such meat with good conscience. But others had not made so much progress, therefore Paul, for one, set a good example in deciding that he would not eat such meat.. Sinful things should always be avoided.

PHILIPPIANS 4:8

The Christian’s habits of thought are most important, whether in leisure or in activity. Paul gives us a very complete outline of proper things about which we can and should think. He wrote, “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest [margin, or, venerable], whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.”

This outline of “things” would certainly include the virtues of our loving Heavenly Father, and of his Son, Christ Jesus. They would include all the various aspects of the divine plan of the ages as outlined in the Word. They would include the Word of God itself, and its wonderful instructions, admonitions, and promises. They would include our brethren in Christ, and what their fellowship in the truth means to us. Surely such holy thoughts upon which to center our minds will give us joy in the Lord, and strength to continue on in the narrow way.

What better way, then, to spend our moments of leisure than by meditating on God, and on all the good things which he has provided. And our meditations will be the richer in blessing if we allow them to be directed by the Word of God. In other words, there is no better way to spend leisure time than in the study of the Bible, and the great truths which it contains. Thus we will show ourselves approved unto God.

QUESTIONS

What motive should guide a Christian in his use of leisure time?

Explain how Jesus spent the day, after inviting his disciples to rest with him.

Should a Christian consider others in the manner in which he uses his leisure time?

In your own words, state Paul’s formula for holy meditation.

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