Working for a Living (2 Thessalonians 3:11-13)

Today’s scripture: 2 Thessalonians 3:11-13

Paul wrote to the Christians in Colossae, “… whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men” (3:23). He also wrote in his first letter to the church at Thessalonica, “to mind your own business, and to work with your own hands …”

If we’re able to do so, we should be working for our own bread. And in fact, we should be so busy doing our work, we won’t have time to be “undisciplined” or act as “busybodies.”

It’s true. If we’re focused on doing what God has called us to do, whether occupational or vocational, we truly won’t have time to get caught up in other people’s business. We won’t have time to gossip about what everyone else is doing.

Instead, we’ll be serving God and others. We’ll being doing kingdom-building work.

And that’s something we shouldn’t grow weary of doing.

Workin' for a Livin' (Ephesians 6:5-8)

Today's scriptures: Ephesians 6:5-8

We in the United States, praise God, no longer adhere to any use of slaves (except for the tragic reality of young women that are brought as sexual slaves, but that’s an entirely different situation and in no way applies here).

However, most of us at one time or another will work for someone else. Unless we’re fortunate to be in business for ourselves, we will rely on someone else for our livelihood. And unfortunately, not all of us will love our jobs. I’ve been blessed to hold some great jobs at great companies, but I have to honestly say, it wasn’t until I started teaching that I really loved what I did … and there have been seasons when I really disliked what I did.

Once when I was living through one of those seasons, I found this verse, and it helped to change my attitude—usually. Paul wrote, “With good will, render service, as to the Lord …” As long as I remembered that God placed me in each working situation, I could have “good will” … and a good attitude.

If you’re working in less-than-ideal circumstances, if you have an inconsiderate—or even tyrannical—boss, if your co-workers stab you in the back even as they smile to your face, remember that God may have put you exactly where you are so you can shine Jesus.

It may not make your situation any easier, but it may just make your life easier.

Work as for the Lord (Colossians 3:22-24)

Today's scripture: Colossians 3:22-24

Few of us are able to do our "dream jobs." It seems like most of us fall into whatever we do for a living, and sometimes, that's hard. I'm very blessed that I'm now able teach writing and literature, which I love to do, but for many years, I worked various jobs, and much of the time, I did so just to make a living.

I have been blessed with great bosses and co-workers, but far too often, the jobs themselves were ... just jobs.

And far too often, I'd whine and complain, if only to myself. Why do I have to do this? Or why can't I do that?

I found Colossians 3:23-24 years ago, and it put everything into perspective. No matter what I was doing for an occupation, if I focused on doing it "heartily, as for the Lord," I found myself more content. If I remembered that it is the "Lord whom [I] serve," I could find the joy in doing whatever He'd called me to do for that season.

You may not be doing what you dream of doing. You may be "just" doing a job. But no matter what, you can still find joy and contentment in where you are now. You can still work "heartily" as you remember Whom you serve.

The Lord. Not men.

Your Toil Is Not in Vain (1 Cor. 15:58)

Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your toil is not in vain in the Lord.
(1 Corinthians 15:58, NASB)

There is only one real purpose for those who follow Christ: serving Him and doing the will of the Father. Because one day, when we stand before His throne, the only thing that will matter will be what we did for Him.

Everything else will pass away: “The world is passing away, and also its lusts; but the one who does the will of God lives forever” (1 John 2:17).

We must, therefore, be steadfast in our faith. We need to keep our minds and hearts focused on God and His word, studying it. Meditating on it. Memorizing it.

We need to be immovable in what we believe, not “carried away by the error of unprincipled men” (2 Peter 3:17). Standing firm in faith.

Nothing else truly matters. Not riches. Not fame. Not material goods. Nothing.

Only what we do for our Lord is of worth. And nothing we do for Him is in vain.

Meeting Our Needs (1 Cor. 9:3-7)

My defense to those who examine me is this: Do we not have a right to eat and drink? Do we not have a right to take along a believing wife, even as the rest of the apostles and the brothers of the Lord and Cephas? Or do only Barnabas and I not have a right to refrain from working? Who at any time serves as a soldier at his own expense? Who plants a vineyard and does not eat the fruit of it? Or who tends a flock and does not use the milk of the flock?
(1 Corinthians 9:3-7, NASB)

As followers of Christ, we have the “right” to take care of ourselves and our families. We have the “right” to work and to enjoy the fruit of our labor.

We have a few precious “needs” in life. We need water. We need food. We need shelter.

And most of us meet those needs by working. Some people work the land, and they have the right to eat some of what they grow. Some raise animals, and they have the right to enjoy milk or meat. Others work at various jobs to earn a paycheck.

In any case, our ability to work comes from God—our skills, our talents, our energy.

The other need? We really are created for relationships, and for some of us, that means marriage. We’ve already talked a lot about marriage over the last several days, but we have that right, if God has led us there. But even married or not, we need friends. We need people to whom we can to when things are difficult—and with whom we can celebrate during times of joy.

God provides the means for meeting our needs. We merely need to do what He’s called us to do.

A Bit of Controversy ... (1 Peter 2:14-20)

Submit yourselves for the Lord's sake to every human institution, whether to a king as the one in authority, or to governors as sent by him for the punishment of evildoers and the praise of those who do right. For such is the will of God that by doing right you may silence the ignorance of foolish men. Act as free men, and do not use your freedom as a covering for evil, but use it as bondslaves of God. Honor all people, love the brotherhood, fear God, honor the king. Servants, be submissive to your masters with all respect, not only to those who are good and gentle, but also to those who are unreasonable. For this finds favor, if for the sake of conscience toward God a person bears up under sorrows when suffering unjustly. For what credit is there if, when you sin and are harshly treated, you endure it with patience? But if when you do what is right and suffer for it you patiently endure it, this finds favor with God.
(1 Peter 2:14-20, NASB)

Oh, today’s verses can be really controversial. Submission to “every human institution.” That can be hard. Really hard. But that’s what we’re commanded to do; it is the “will of God.” And why? Because by honoring and submitting to authority, we represent Christ.

And then we’re commanded to “be submissive to [our] masters.” Peter used terms that would have been familiar to his immediate audience, but we who are working for someone else need to respect and submit to our employers, even if our employer is “unreasonable.” Ah, this is convicting. Peter knew what we’d be thinking centuries later: Sure, I can submit and respect my boss if he’s good to me, but when he’s unreasonable? Not a chance.

However, we’re not given that “out.” We need to honor our employers no matter what. And why? Not only do we represent Christ by “patiently enduring” harsh or unfair treatment, but we also please our Father. Our behavior “finds favor with God.”

It’s not easy. We live in a society of fallen heroes, corrupt politicians, uncaring bosses. We work hard and try to live as Christ would, and then we see evil win out—or so it seems.

Just remember:
• We're to work as unto God, not men (Col. 3:23).
• And most importantly, our ultimate Authority has already won the war (John 16:33).

Working for God (2 Thess. 3:11-13)

For we hear that some among you are leading an undisciplined life, doing no work at all, but acting like busybodies. Now such persons we command and exhort in the Lord Jesus Christ to work in quiet fashion and eat their own bread. But as for you, brethren, do not grow weary of doing good.
(2 Thessalonians 3:11-13, NASB)

Paul wrote to the Christians in Colossae, “… whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men.” He also wrote in his first letter to the church at Thessalonica, “to mind your own business, and to work with your own hands …”

If we’re able to do so, we should be working for our own bread. And in fact, we should be so busy doing our work, we won’t have time to be “undisciplined” or act as “busybodies.”

It’s true. If we’re focused on doing what God has called us to do, whether occupational or vocational, we truly won’t have time to get caught up in other people’s business. We won’t have time to gossip about what everyone else is doing. We certainly won't be sitting around eating bon-bons and watching inane television.

Instead, we’ll be serving God and others. We’ll being doing kingdom-building work.

And that’s something we shouldn’t grow weary of doing.

Don't Be a Burden (2 Thess. 3:7-10)

For you yourselves know how you ought to follow our example, because we did not act in an undisciplined manner among you, nor did we eat anyone’s bread without paying for it, but with labor and hardship we kept working night and day so that we would not be a burden to any of you; not because we do not have the right to this, but in order to offer ourselves as a model for you, so that you would follow our example. For even when we were with you, we used to give you this order: if anyone is not willing to work, then he is not to eat, either.
(2 Thessalonians 3:7-10, NASB)

These verses are rather difficult to read … especially in today’s economy. Most Christians would agree that we’re not to be burdens on anyone else; rather, we are to pay our own way. We know we’re to work to earn a paycheck and pay our bills, buy our own food, and care for our families.

And yes, we would agree that if someone is lazy and just wants to sit around twiddling his thumbs, waiting for someone else to care for him, he shouldn’t get any handouts.

However, what about those who are truly struggling? Those who have been out of work for months—maybe even a year or two—and have been diligently looking for work? They’ve taken odd jobs here and there, but they just haven’t been able to find anything. Or those with true disabilities who can’t work.

Shouldn’t they be able to seek assistance?

Now, I’m not talking about the “professional panhandler,” those people who have learned they can make good money standing on street corners with a sign “Will work for food.” I’m talking about those who really, truly want to work, but can’t seem to find a job.

I think Paul is talking to those of us who can work and don’t. If we can work, and we have access to work, then we should work. Otherwise, we’re being slothful … and that’s a sin.

Work Unto the Lord (Eph. 6:5-8)

Slaves, be obedient to those who are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in the sincerity of your heart, as to Christ; not by way of eyeservice, as men-pleasers, but as slaves of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart. With good will render service, as to the Lord, and not to men, knowing that whatever good thing each one does, this he will receive back from the Lord, whether slave or free.
(Ephesians 6:5-8, NASB)

We in the United States, praise God, no longer adhere to any use of slaves (except for the tragic reality of young women that are brought as sexual slaves, but that’s an entirely different situation and in no way applies here).

However, most of us at one time or another will work for someone else. Unless we’re fortunate to be in business for ourselves, we will rely on someone else for our livelihood. And unfortunately, not all of us will love our jobs. I’ve been blessed to hold some great jobs at great companies, but I have to honestly say, I haven’t really ever loved my job. And there have been seasons when I really disliked what I did.

Once when I was living through one of those seasons, I found this verse, and it helped to change my attitude—usually. Paul wrote, “With good will, render service, as to the Lord …” As long as I remembered that God placed me in each working situation, I could have “good will” … and a good attitude.

If you’re working in less-than-ideal circumstances, if you have an inconsiderate—or even tyrannical—boss, if your co-workers stab you in the back even as they smile to your face, remember that God may have put you exactly where you are so you can shine Jesus.

It may not make your situation any easier, but it may just make your life easier.