If You Don’t Work, You Don’t Eat - Part 2
Full Speed Ahead – Don’t Shift to Idle
Last week we discussed the importance of work ethic in today’s society. This week we’ll continue that theme with a deep dive into a letter Paul wrote to the believers at Thessalonica.
Apparently, the older and richer Thessalonians had gone back to an old practice of hiring slaves to do most of their tasks so that they could spend more time in socializing and philosophizing. What had once been a loving, growing church was now a group of self-focused and unproductive believers. Paul writes with a compelling, yet very blunt, message: there are some among you who walk in idleness, not busy at work, but busybodies. Ouch! Can you imagine getting a letter like this at your church (and you are one of several in the congregation that fits this description)? Kind of a bombshell don’t you think?
But Paul doesn’t stop there! He continues in 2 Thessalonians 3:1: Finally, brothers, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may speed ahead and be honored…and that we may be delivered from wicked and evil men. For not all have faith. But the Lord is faithful. He will establish you and guard you against the evil one.
Hmm…did you see that? Not all have faith! Let’s keep reading because this gets rather intense (3:6): Now we command you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you keep away from any brother who is walking in idleness and not in accord with the tradition that you received from us.
How would you handle this sermon if your pastor on Sunday exhorted you to stay away from idle people? I can hear some saying that this is a little extreme. They aren’t involved in sexual sins like others. They just like to visit with people. Why not? They have the money. Well, yes, they have the money and aren’t desperate to work, but they are causing others to be less productive.
I used to stop everything and be hospitable and courteous to unexpected guests. Now of course, if they are truly a guest and not an idle busybody, I will set aside my work and give them my full attention. But, let me warn you, if a real live busybody comes to visit, it usually doesn’t take more than 15 minutes to get rid of them! How? I just hand them a shovel or anything that is within my grasp, and we start working together.
I’ll never forget one young man who took the shovel from me and leaned against it for an hour while he talked. I was forced to think a little creatively with him. I reached for the hose, turned it on full blast and handed to him. He may not have done any digging that day, but at least I got my garden watered! “Well, I see that you’re busy,” he said after an hour of idle chatter, “I’ll catch you later.” Wiping the sweat from his brow, he walked away.
Night and Day
Paul continues in verses 7 and 8: For you yourselves know how you ought to imitate us, because we were not idle when we were with you, nor did we eat anyone's bread without paying for it, but with toil and labor we worked night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you. What is interesting about what Paul writes here is that he says exactly the same thing in his first letter to the Thessalonians, chapter 2:9: For you remember, brothers, our labor and toil: we worked night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you, while we proclaimed to you the gospel of God.
As I’m writing, it is 8:00 pm Friday evening, and the Lamplighter team of eleven staff are all working, preparing for our college students who will be arriving this weekend. They have worked hard all day, and they continue with the greatest joy. There is something very gratifying when a team works together in unity to accomplish eternal goals. Solomon wrote: There is nothing better for a man… that he should make his soul enjoy good in his labour. This also I saw, that it was from the hand of God (Eccles. 2:24). This morning I watched a group of severely handicapped adults being led down the sidewalk as their guides painstakingly kept them in line. Whenever I see someone with severe mental and physical handicaps, I am reminded of how much I have and how much more I need to give.
Toil and Labor
Paul writes with toil and labor. What’s the difference? The word toil in the Greek refers to painful labor. The word labor refers to extremely painful labor. Let’s not forget that Paul worked “night and day.” I have been in business and ministry for over forty years. My observation is that most men have adopted the American-dream life style. And their work ethic is at best, lack luster mediocrity. I remember reading the book Addicted to Mediocrity years ago, and it left a powerful impression upon my life. Diligent workers inspire others to do more and do it with excellence. Nehemiah experienced this when rebuilding the wall. Every time someone did double his share of work, it inspired others to do the same (Nehemiah 3:19, 21, 24, 27).
When the Spirit of God is living in us without the distracting detours of greedy gain, everything changes—even the way a person walks! There’s new energy in their step. They have purpose and can’t wait to accomplish something. There’s so much to do, create, and enjoy! We see this beautiful truth nowhere better than in Nehemiah 8. There we discover a little phrase that is used in wall decals and bumper stickers across the country: the joy of the Lord is my strength (vs 10). And that is exactly what the Apostle Paul was communicating to the Thessalonica believers. When the new converts were coming to know Christ, Paul worked night and day with painful toil. He didn’t care how much he had to toil and labor because of the great joy of so many coming to know the Savior.
What we work for matters.
For when we love what we do and do what we love, it doesn’t matter how difficult the work may be. What is important is that the work matters.
Recommended Reading for a Hard Work Ethic: Ned Franks, Jack the Conqueror, Ishmael, Sir Malcolm and the Missing Prince Audio Drama
