Does the text suggest that Balasaheb Deo was unemployed or lazy, and that's why he couldn't practice his spirituality?

No, the text explicitly contradicts the idea that Balasaheb Deo was unemployed or lazy. In fact, Chapter 41 states, "Without doing a job during the day, there was no way for livelihood," indicating that he was employed. His spiritual practice was something he attempted at night. The issue was not a lack of discipline in general, as the text notes that "other books were taken in hand, they were read regularly." The problem was highly specific to the Dnyaneshwari, for which he had a "strong intent" but faced recurring obstacles and internal doubts, preventing the development of love for the scripture.