Purpose and Peace in the Last DaysSample

Working for a Living

For many people, work is a chore. It’s something we have to do not something we get to do. It’s seen as a necessary evil.

As we await the return of Christ, especially as the day seems to be drawing nearer, it might even be tempting to think, What’s the point of working? Everything is falling apart, Jesus is coming back soon to take us home to heaven, so what difference does it make concerning my job on earth?

That was the mindset of some of the believers in the Thessalonian church. This erroneous mindset prompted Paul to write what we read in today’s passage. You see, they had developed a bad theology of work – and when you have a bad theology, your actions will follow.

In other words, when what you believe is wrong, how you live will be wrong as well.

So, Paul deals with this directly. The first thing he does is call them out for being able-bodied but lazy-bodied. The only thing some of them did was meddle in other people’s business.

Then he tells them what God has to say about work. Notice three discoveries from today’s passage.

Discovery number one: God wants us to work.

Work is not a suggestion; it’s a command. The Lord is commanding it here, just as He does in Proverbs. Proverbs has much to say about the differences between the industrious, diligent worker and the lazy, slothful sluggard.

In the Ten Commandments we read that God gave the example of working hard for six days, followed by a Sabbath day of rest. This is the biblical work ethic. Six days on, and one day off.

Now, there is a big difference between those who can work, but don’t, and those who are physically unable to work. Today’s passage speaks to the former – those who choose laziness in defiance of God’s command.

It’s important to remember that work is not a punishment. It’s meant to be a good thing for us. In the garden, before the fall, God gave Adam a job before He gave him a wife. (Unmarried ladies, remember this sequence when looking for a mate!) In short, work is good, not bad.

Discovery number two: God has sobering words for those who won’t work.

Those who won’t work are disobeying God. They’re disobeying a direct command from the Lord Jesus Christ because we’re supposed to be working. Because they are disobeying God, they are also displeasing God.

In his letter to Timothy, Paul used even harsher words, saying that those who can work to provide for their families, but choose not to, are denying the faith. You are “worse than an unbeliever,” Paul says. Strong words inspired by the Holy Spirit.

Because they are disobeying and displeasing God, those who refuse to work will be disciplined by God. One way this discipline happens is in the removal of provision. Those who do not work, will not eat. God’s people are not to feed those who choose to be lazy freeloaders.

Discovery number three: God tells us how to respond to those who won’t work.

If you were part of the Thessalonian church, and you were working hard, you’d probably look around at others who weren’t working, and think, Why am I busting my tail while these other people just sit around looking for handouts? Maybe I should join them in laziness.

Paul says, “Don’t do that. Instead, you keep doing what’s right. You keep working hard. Don’t grow weary of doing good.” Even so, Paul does offer some tough advice. He says to keep your distance from those who won’t work. Why? Because they’re not doing what’s right. They’re disobeying God. They’re displeasing God. They’re going to experience the discipline of God. So stay away from them, and do not enable them in this sinful behavior.

Over time, you may be in a position to help usher that believer back into a biblical work ethic.

So, here’s the recap: God wants you to work. Work is a good thing. He has sobering words for those who won’t work. He tells you how to respond to those who won’t work.

2 Questions:

1. How are you doing with this thing called work – what is your relationship with your work? Ask the Lord to give you the proper perspective on the goodness of work and His command to work.

2. Do you know a believer who isn’t working even though they could? How could you come alongside them and speak the truth in love to help them return to an obedient life of work?