The Laborer’s Appetite: Why Young Men Need to Work
In Proverbs 16:26, the Bible declares, “The appetite of laborers works for them; their hunger drives them on.” This ancient wisdom speaks directly to the heart of manhood: a man’s hunger—his drive, his ambition—is the fuel that propels him to work, to build, and to become all that God created him to be. Yet today, we face a troubling reality. Recent studies reveal that 11% of young men between the ages of 25 and 40 in America are neither working nor looking for work. That’s over 7 million men in their prime, sitting on the sidelines of life. What’s happening? Why are so many young men opting out? I believe the answer lies in a loss of hope—a fading belief in the American Dream—and a dangerous drift toward comfort and laziness that saps the laborer’s appetite.
But there’s a better way: a life fueled by healthy ambition, rooted in God’s purpose, that calls men to rise, work, and reclaim their destiny.
The Hunger That Drives Us
God designed men with a deep reservoir of purpose. In Genesis 2:15, we see Adam placed in the Garden of Eden “to work it and take care of it.” Work wasn’t a curse; it was a calling, a divine assignment to cultivate and create. The laborer’s appetite is more than a desire for food—it’s a hunger for significance, for impact, for a life that matters. When a man embraces this hunger, it drives him to build a family, a career, a legacy. It’s the spark that fuels the entrepreneur, the craftsman, the father who wakes early to provide.
But something is quenching this hunger in our culture. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that men aged 25–54 who are not in the labor force spend nearly seven hours a day in leisure—playing video games, watching TV, or scrolling screens. This isn’t rest; it’s retreat. It’s the opposite of the biblical mandate in Colossians 3:23: “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord.”
When men trade purpose for passivity, they lose the appetite that God wired into their souls.
The Seduction of Comfort and Laziness
Let’s be honest: comfort is seductive. Our modern world offers endless distractions—streaming services, social media, and the promise of instant gratification. For many young men, the safety net of family support or government benefits makes it easier to coast than to strive. But comfort comes at a cost. Proverbs 19:15 warns, “Laziness brings on deep sleep, and the shiftless go hungry.” Laziness isn’t just a lack of action; it’s a starvation of the soul. It numbs ambition, dulls creativity, and erodes dignity.
I’ve seen it in the men I’ve mentored. They start with dreams—a business, a family, a life of impact—but somewhere along the way, they settle for the couch instead of the grind. The American Dream, once a beacon of opportunity where hard work could lead to a home, a family, and a future, feels out of reach for many. Skyrocketing costs, economic uncertainty, and a culture that glorifies leisure over labor have left men questioning, “Why bother?” When hope fades, so does the hunger to work. And when hunger fades, men drift into a cycle of apathy that’s hard to escape.
The Cost of Opting Out
The consequences of this drift are profound. Work isn’t just about paying bills; it’s about purpose. Studies show that employed men report better health, stronger marriages, and greater life satisfaction. Without work, men lose structure, connection, and self-respect. The Milken Institute notes that non-working men are more likely to be divorced or never married, and their mortality rates are higher. God created men to engage, to conquer challenges, to provide and protect. When we opt out, we’re not just abandoning a job—we’re abandoning part of our identity.
I think of Pharaoh’s words in Exodus 5:17, accusing the Israelites of being “lazy” when they sought freedom to worship. The enemy loves to twist the truth, labeling rest or struggle as laziness to keep men oppressed. But God calls us to a higher standard. He doesn’t see work as punishment but as a path to purpose. The laborer’s appetite drives us to break free from the chains of comfort and step into the life we were made for.
Healthy Ambition: The Antidote to Apathy
Contrast the lure of laziness with the power of healthy ambition. Ambition isn’t greed; it’s the God-given drive to steward your gifts and make a difference. In Matthew 25:14-30, the Parable of the Talents teaches us that God entrusts each of us with resources—time, skills, opportunities—and expects us to invest them wisely. The servant who buried his talent out of fear was called “wicked and lazy.” But those who worked, who took risks, were rewarded with, “Well done, good and faithful servant.”
Healthy ambition is rooted in faith. It’s the courage to believe that God has a plan for your life, even when the world feels stacked against you. It’s the discipline to get up, show up, and keep going, trusting that “the Lord will renew your strength” (Isaiah 40:31). The American Dream isn’t dead—it’s been redefined. It’s no longer just about a white picket fence; it’s about building a life of purpose, where your work glorifies God and serves others.
I’ve met men who’ve rediscovered this ambition through FivestarMan. One young man, stuck in a dead-end job and living with his parents, joined our 45-Day Challenge. He began to see his work as a calling, not a chore. Within a year, he launched a small business, moved out, and started mentoring others. His hunger returned because he connected his labor to God’s purpose.
Reclaiming the American Dream
The American Dream isn’t a guarantee; it’s a pursuit. It’s the belief that with faith, effort, and resilience, you can build a life that matters. But it starts with rejecting the lie that comfort is enough. Ecclesiastes 5:3 says, “A dream comes through much activity.” Dreams don’t materialize by wishing; they’re forged through work. The laborer’s appetite is what turns vision into reality.
Young men, you are not victims of a broken system. You are sons of God, called to “work heartily” and shape the world around you. The economy may be tough, but Philippians 4:13 reminds us, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Your work—whether in a factory, an office, or a startup—is a ministry. It’s a chance to reflect God’s creativity, provide for your family, and inspire others.
The Five Passions of Authentic Manhood
At FivestarMan, we teach that every man is wired with five passions of a heroic heart: an adventurous spirit, an entrepreneurial drive, gallant relationships, faithful in character, and a generous soul with a philanthropic cause. These passions fuel the laborer’s appetite. When you embrace them, you awaken the ambition to work, to grow, to lead. You stop settling for less and start striving for God’s best.
Work engages these passions. It tests your courage, sharpens your mind, strengthens your body, and opens doors to give generously. It’s not about chasing money but pursuing purpose. As Theodore Roosevelt said, “Far and away the best prize that life offers is the chance to work hard at work worth doing.” That’s the heart of authentic manhood.
Action Step: Take the 45-Day Challenge
Young men, it’s time to rekindle your hunger. You weren’t created to drift through life; you were made to work, to build, to thrive. If you’re ready to reject comfort, overcome laziness, and ignite healthy ambition, I invite you to take the FivestarMan 45-Day Challenge at FivestarMan.com.
Over the next 45 days, you’ll discover the five passions of authentic manhood and unlock God’s purpose for your life. This free challenge provides coaching, resources, and a copy of FivestarMan: The Five Passions of Authentic Manhood. You’ll master your appetites, awaken your destiny, and grow closer to Jesus Christ. It’s not a program—it’s a movement to resurrect the laborer’s appetite and reclaim the American Dream.
Don’t wait. Go to FivestarMan.com today and sign up for the 45-Day Challenge. Your hunger is calling. Answer it.
Neil Kennedy is the founder of FivestarMan and author of FivestarMan: The Five Passions of Authentic Manhood. He has spent over 40 years promoting God’s Word and challenging men to pursue authentic manhood.
