BQ: People sometimes thrive on gossip, but what does God say about it? 

"At the same time they also learn to be idle, as they go around from house to house; and not merely idle, but also gossips and busybodies, talking about things not proper to mention." (1 Tim 5:13)

"For we hear that some among you are leading an undisciplined life, doing no work at all, but acting like busybodies." (2 Thess 3:11)

The term busybody comes from the Greek, "periergazomai," which literally means to "be working round about, instead of at one's own business."  Gossip is really nothing more than talking behind someone's back, and it surely isn't productive.