The apostle Paul gives us a powerful word here about the value of industry. He says that the people of God should be known as an industrious people. Apparently, some of the folks at Thessalonica did not heed Paul’s instructions given here, because in 2 Thessalonians 3:6-13, Paul wrote again about this matter.
"In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, we command you, brothers, to keep away from every brother who is idle and does not live according to the teaching you received from us. For you yourselves know how you ought to follow our example. We were not idle when we were with you, nor did we eat anyone’s food without paying for it. On the contrary, we worked night and day, laboring and toiling so that we would not be a burden to any of you. We did this, not because we do not have the right to such help, but in order to make ourselves a model for you to follow. For even when we were with you, we gave you this rule: ‘If a man will not work, he shall not eat.’ We hear that some among you are idle. They are not busy; they are busybodies. Such people we command and urge in the Lord Jesus Christ to settle down and earn the bread they eat. And as for you, brothers, never tire of doing what is right."
- 2 Thessalonians 3:6-13 (NIV)
We note that Paul’s solution to a person being a busy-body is to put them to work. F.F. Bruce points out that, "There is a great difference between the Christian duty of putting the interests of others first and the busybody’s compulsive itch to put other people right."
Paul is concerned that God’s people not become a bunch of busy-bodies, justifying their intrusion into the lives of others as being "in the name of the Lord." Instead, he encouraged God’s people to be industrious, so that they might be delivered from the temptation to be a busy-body, and instead, be in a position to truly bless others in Jesus name as a result of their work ethic.
Instead of being a busy-body, Paul says, make you body busy by working with you own hands. In other words, be productive through work. As you endeavor to be a productive member of society, you will also be a productive member of the kingdom of God.
We live in a society that has mixed views on work. On the one hand, we have a nation of workaholics. People working 60, 70, 80 hours a week out of a driving compulsion to "get ahead." People who arrive to work early, stay late, and bring their work home with them.
On the other hand, of course, we have a nation that worships pleasure and entertainment. We work our jobs only to get a paycheck. We live from the time we punch out till the time we punch back in again. Work is only an necessary evil that allows us to do the things we really want to do.
As Christians, we need to have a balanced view of work. The Bible tells us that Christian families should value industry and productivity. Why?
1. Through work, we can live self-sufficiently in this world.
Paul says that through self-sufficiency, the Christian will win the respect of an unbelieving world. Unfortunately, many professing Christians have brought a reproach to the name of Christ through their lack of industry and productivity.
Paul had strong words for the Christian who is too lazy to provide for himself and his family.
"But if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those
of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an
unbeliever." - 1 Timothy 5:8 (NKJV)
Not being dependent on anybody is, of course, Paul’s emphasis here when he tells us to "work with our own hands." He isn’t saying that manual labor is more noble than other forms of work. What he is saying is that God wants His people to take responsibility for themselves.
"We each must carry our own load." - Galatians 6:5 (CEV)
Yes, the Bible does tell us to "Carry each other’s burdens," - Galatians 6:2 (NIV), but the emphasis there is on my assuming responsibility to assist others, not on my expecting others to assume responsibility to assist me! There is hardly anything more annoying than a lazy person!
"Lazy people are a pain to their employer. They are like smoke in the eyes or vinegar that sets the teeth on edge." - Proverbs 10:26 (NLT)
"Being lazy is no different from being a troublemaker."
- Proverbs 18:9 (CEV)
Writer Regina Barreca wrote an article for the Chicago Tribune in 1996 on this issue: "Sloth is insidious. It whispers that you might as well do it tomorrow, that nobody will know if you cut comers here and there to save yourself some trouble, that the world will be the same in a hundred years no matter what you do, so why do anything? Sloth says, ‘Don’t strain yourself,’ ‘What’s the big hurry?’ and ‘Just give me five more minutes.’ Sloth hits the snooze alarm, hits the remote control and hits the road when the going gets tough ... Sloth cheats on exams, drinks straight from the milk carton and leaves exactly two sheets on the toilet roll so that it will have to be replaced by the next poor soul who finds out too late that the remaining paper is nothing more than a mirage. Sloth does slightly less than the right thing. It doesn’t bother returning something to the lost-and found, but pockets it instead; it doesn’t tell the clerk he has undercharged. Sloth has never written a thank-you note, sent a birthday card on time or entertained angels. All this simply asks too much effort."
2. Through work, we can discover true satisfaction in life.
A. We can learn contentment.
Through work, we learn to be content with what we have, and the Bible tells us that contentment is a significant contributor to our experiencing the abundant life Jesus died for us to know.
"Godliness with contentment is great gain." - 1 Timothy 6:6 (NIV)
Through work, we come to appreciate what we have.
"Lazy people want much but get little, but those who work hard will prosper and be satisfied." - Proverbs 13:4 (NLT)
"The lazy man does not roast his game, but the diligent man prizes his possessions."
- Proverbs 12:27 (NIV)
In his book, Jumping Hurdles, Hitting Glitches, Overcoming Setbacks, Steve Brown writes, "The secret of a happy life is not to get what you want but to live with what you’ve got. Most of us spend our lives concentrating on what we don’t have instead of thanking God for what we do have. Then we wake up, our life is over, and we missed the beauty of the present."
B. We can find fulfillment.
"Each of you must take responsibility for doing the creative best you can with your own life." - Galatians 6:5 (The Message)
The world’s view of work is such that it relates only to earning a living. The Christina’s view of work is to be that it relates to the way God would have me live my life. It should be viewed as a calling from God and approached from the perspective of doing my "creative best" for God’s glory. We should make work what we live to do for the Lord, not just what we do to live.
"Work hard and cheerfully at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people. Remember that the Lord will give you an inheritance as your reward, and the Master you are serving is Christ." - Colossians 3:23-24 (NLT)
While on a trip to Switzerland, an America businessman was watching a Swiss clockmaker carving the case of an ornate cuckoo clock. As the businessman watched the clockmaker carve out the case, he was astounded at his slow rate of progress. The businessman finally said, "My good man, you’ll never make much money that way." "Sir," the clockmaker replied, "I’m not making money, I’m making cuckoo clocks."
3. Through work, we can contribute to the salvation of others.
"Be honest and work hard, so you will have something to give to people in need."
- Ephesians 4:28 (CEV)
An elderly man was desperately ill. Knowing the time for his departure was near, he called for his closest friends to come see him one last time. Attending him were his doctor, his pastor and his business manager.
The old man said, "I know you can’t take it with you, but who knows for sure? What if the experts are mistaken? I want to account for all possibilities. So I’m giving you each an envelope containing $100,000. When I die, I want you each to slip the envelope in my jacket pocket at the funeral service. Then, if I do need money in the life to come, I’ll be ready. And I’m giving the envelopes to you because you are my most trusted friends."
Shortly thereafter, the man did die. Each of his three friends was seen slipping something into the deceased’s coat pocket as he walked up to the casket to pay his final respects.
Following the service, while these friends were visiting with each other, the doctor, with a sheepish look on his face, said, "Guys, I have a confession to make. You know with the cost of medicine today, I don’t make that much money. The hospital is desperate for funds. We can’t even replace the CAT scan machine that’s broken down. So, I took $20,000 for the new CAT scan and put the rest in the coffin."
The minister cleared his throat and looked down at his shoes. He said, "I, too, have a confession to make. As you know, our church is seriously overburdened by the needs of the homeless.
I couldn’t just see burying that money. So, in hopes of helping the homeless, I took $50,000 out of the envelope and put the rest in his pocket."
Looking sternly at the doctor and the minister, the businessman exclaimed, "I can’t believe what I’m hearing. I am astonished and deeply disappointed that you would treat a solemn trust so casually. He was our friend. I want you to know that I placed in his casket my personal check for the full $100,000."
In contrast with the world, the Christian is to work, not only in order to provide for themselves, but for others who are genuinely in need. In need of assistance physically, emotionally, relationally and spiritually.
It is interesting to note that just a casual glance at world history will reveal that every great charitable movement has its roots in Christianity. From the Salvation Army, to the Red Cross, to public education, to college education, to children’s homes, to senior adult centers, to the everyday work of the church in reaching out to people in need of help and hope in Christ, hard-working Christians have worked hard in order to give to those in need, and through doing so, have honored their Savior and brought many to the Savior.
Conclusion:
One of the greatest pieces of advise my father ever gave me was something he told me when I went to work at my very first job at 11 years of age. He said, "Son, always do what is expected of you, plus a little bit more." Now, that advise wasn’t original with my father. It comes straight out of the teachings of Jesus.
"Whoever compels you to go one mile, go with him two." - Matthew 5:41 (NKJV)
Someone once said that "There is no traffic jam on the second mile." Indeed, few people today want to go the extra mile, especially if doing so has to do with seeing someone else be the beneficiary. Yet, that is what Christians are called to do in our everyday life.
This idea of valuing industry relates to far more than my job. It relates to how I approach my involvement with every area of life - my marriage, my family, my friendships, my church, and my community. No wonder Paul said that if I value industry I will win the respect of those who are outside the faith.
How is your work ethic? Are you honoring the Lord by your attitude toward work? Are you honoring the Lord by your approach to your work? Are you honoring God with the fruit of our work?
