Most people enjoy taking vacations. Other than hearing a brief sermon, when was the last time any of us studied “vacations” in the Bible? Since summer is soon here, why not take a quick Bible tour together? Let’s also contemplate a few “vacation” related questions. After reading this brief article, we welcome your input and ideas.
Here are three discovered definitions of “vacation,” but there are others:
A time specifically set aside for enjoyment or relaxation.
A period of suspension of work, study, or other activity, usually used for rest, recreation, or travel.”
A part of the year, regularly set aside when normal activities of law courts, legislatures, etc., are suspended.
In our research, the Bible does not appear to mention anything specifically about “vacations,” which are also called “holidays” in many countries. However, Scripture does speak to the concepts of the stewardship of personal rest. A few selective and popular verses we discovered regarding “resting” include:
Gen. 2:2-3; “By the seventh day God completed His work which He had done, and He rested on the seventh day from all His work which He had done. Then God blessed the seventh day and sanctified it, because in it He rested from all His work which God had created and made.”
In Exodus 20:8–10, “Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is a sabbath of the LORD your God; in it you shall not do any work, you or your son or your daughter, your male or your female servant or your cattle or your sojourner who stays with you.”
Hebrews 4 speaks of the Believer’s “rest” in the Lord; verses 9-10 state, “So there remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God. For the one who has entered His rest has himself also rested from his works, as God did from His.”
From Mark 2:27-28; “Jesus said to them, “The Sabbath was made for man, and not man for the Sabbath. So the Son of Man is Lord even of the Sabbath.” There apparently is a need, built into us by God, to have a time of rest, relaxation, and rejuvenation.
We did not find examples in the Bible of “Believers” (born-again Christians) going on vacations. Jesus did get away for prayer and spiritual nourishment often (Matt. 14:13, 23, Mk. 1:35, Luke 5:15-16). However, in modern terms, these appear to be more like short spiritual retreats, not vacations. Obviously, the Apostle Paul took many trips. However, his missionary journeys don’t appear to be very relaxing!
Is it biblically okay for Christians to travel?
David wrote in Psalm 139 that no matter where we go on the earth, God will be there. The early disciples traveled all over the known world to spread the Gospel. Today, it is far easier to travel around the globe and visit other cultures and people. To do so can be a blessing and very rewarding. We simply need to remember God’s stated parameters for living our lives.
What are obvious potential positive aspects of vacations?
Experiencing the above stated rest and relaxation; away from our usual everyday life and work.
Building and strengthening relationships with our spouse, family, and friends.
Providing our children with new life experiences.
Seeing God’s beautiful creation, experiencing new places, and meeting new people.
Using the time to draw ourselves and our family closer to God and one another.
What are a few vacation questions we might want to ask ourselves as we plan?
Will this vacation put us in any tempting situations?
Will this vacation violate our conscience in any way?
Are we using this vacation to escape from life or difficult circumstances that need to be addressed or resolved?
Will this vacation feed us spiritually in any way, or is it primarily to gratify our senses and soul (mind, will, emotions)?
Are there ways these planned experiences could be achieved for less money?
Will the vacation money we plan to spend decrease any money we would have given to our church, mission organizations, ministries, or others we know are in urgent need (and God is prompting us to help)?
Have we earnestly prayed over this vacation and sought God’s Word for pros and cons?
If we shared our vacation idea with a trusted and mature Believer, would they fully confirm our plans and related expenses as a sound and wise idea?”
What are Bible verses illuminating these same questions?
Col. 3:17 - with regards to putting on the new self:
“Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father.”
In our times of relaxing, having fun, and vacationing, we should always make sure these activities will be pleasing to God.
I Cor. 8:8-9 – with regards to food or causing others to stumble:
“But food will not commend us to God; we are neither the worse if we do not eat, nor the better if we do eat. But take care that this liberty of yours does not somehow become a stumbling block to the weak.”
As with food, we don’t want to purposely allow our entertainment, fun, or use of money to diminish our witness, or be a stumbling block to those in our direct influence.
I Cor. 9:19 – with regards to our example and winning people to Christ:
“For though I am free from all men, I have made myself a slave to all, so that I may win more.”
How often do we ever consider taking vacations with a “ministry purpose”?
Taking mission trips, visiting missionaries, or serving in a specific ministry.
Spending time helping in a Disaster Relief project.
Sharing our skills, talents, and abilities in foreign places with others in need.
What are obvious “stewardship” questions we should ask related to taking vacations?
Do we have an established vacation budget and are we setting aside the money (ahead of time) to cover the costs?
Are we taking this vacation to simply satisfy a fleeting impulse?
If an expensive vacation isn’t in the cards, maybe we should plan a simple one or a “stay-cation” and seek to be creative in the process?
Are we using debt to pay for our vacation or spending money we don’t have? That would not appear to within God’s Word or plans for us. (Rom. 13:8)
In what aspects might we be using vacations to pridefully show off our wealth or assets to others?
Thoughts and Conclusions:
Biblically, it does not appear that taking a vacation is discouraged or prohibited. Vacations are not mentioned in the Bible, so they appear to be neutral and decisions we individually must decide about and make.
Getting proper rest, relaxation, and family time together are all positive goals.
Assessing any negative implications or impacts on ourselves, our family, or others while planning a vacation is always prudent and wise.
Carefully planning our vacations, saving the funds needed ahead of time, and not using debt, all keep us on solid “stewardship” ground.
Whatever your decisions and plans include for vacation this year, or any year, go out and enjoy God’s beautiful creation, draw closer to Him, renew and strengthen family relationships, and give all the glory to God
We welcome you sending us any additional Bible verses, related input, or ideas. Also, do you have a related vacation testimony you would like to share? Send it to us.
We came across this quote in our research, “Vacation wisely. Rest wisely!” It appears to be a very balanced approach.
In His love,
David and Debbie Bragonier
PS. Are you interested in becoming a budget counselor for your church, and in your community? Contact us and we will tell you more about our on-line training program and Zoom-type sessions.