Working for God
2 Thessalonians 3:6-15
September 3, 2023
Do you remember your first job? My first job was working at a now extinct pharmacy, called Dabs Pharmacy. I worked the register and I delivered prescriptions in the company car, which was an old car, with no gas pedal. I think I got paid about $2 per hour.
I graduated from there and worked at a health club, a day camp and drove one of the buses. I even sold women’s shoes while in college. Eventually, I went on to be an investment auditor for over 8 years before God called me into ministry. I have some good and not so good memories of all those jobs.
When I look back on those days, there were people who made an impression on me. Some because they had an amazing work ethic, some because of their care and compassion, some because of their ethics and morals and still others for their faith. I was blessed to learn from so many people, just by watching them.
For those of you who are retired, you may think your day of working is long over, but hold on a little before you tune me out and think about your lunch plans.
What about work? Where does this thing called work fit into what it means to be a follower of Jesus? For many of us, work is something we do — we do it because we have to pay the bills, feed our family. We really don’t want to believe we live to work and work to live.
Well, this is Labor Day weekend. Most people gain an extra day off of work. So, that’s a good reason to celebrate. Right? Labor Day has its roots all the way back to a national holiday proclaimed by Congress in 1894. So, we celebrate the worker. And that’s a good thing! The Bible speaks about work from Genesis to Revelation - - - and helps us gain an understanding of God’s expectations as we work.
When you hear the word, “work” what comes to mind? Maybe its, “I’m glad tomorrow’s a holiday!” Others are happy to have a job.” Some, “can’t wait to get to work.” Some just want to pay the bills and are putting in time until they can get out.
I want to look at words from Paul to the church in Thessalonica. Let’s look at what Paul said in 2 Thessalonians 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.
7 For you yourselves know how you ought to imitate us, because we were not idle when we were with you,
8 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.
9 It was not because we do not have that right, but to give you in ourselves an example to imitate.
10 For even when we were with you, we would give you this command: If anyone is not willing to work, let him not eat.
11 For we hear that some among you walk in idleness, not busy at work, but busybodies.
12 Now such persons we command and encourage in the Lord Jesus Christ to do their work quietly and to earn their own living.
13 As for you, brothers, do not grow weary in doing good.
14 If anyone does not obey what we say in this letter, take note of that person, and have nothing to do with him, that he may be ashamed.
15 Do not regard him as an enemy, but warn him as a brother.
Paul is very clear – we are to work. We are not to be idle. The word literally means someone who is unruly, who is insubordinate to God’s Word and as a result is unproductive. They lack discipline.
As Paul starts, notice he states “we command you.” Those who are idle are not living their lives by the way they’ve been taught. They are considered disorderly and unruly. They’re interfering with the community.
Understand part of the problem was the fact that they think Jesus is coming back very soon . . . and if Jesus is coming back next week, then why work. Well, we’re still waiting, so I guess - it’s off to work I go.
Another belief is that some people were simply taking advantage of their situation and preying on those who were generous. Either way, Paul is clear, stop being idle, wasting your time.
We are to work — and we are to be a good example to the world. Paul told these Christians they were to follow his example. Not only was Paul a church planter, he was also a tentmaker. He made his living as a tentmaker, so he could plant churches.
He wasn’t dependent upon others — although he had the right to do so, he didn’t want to take advantage of his hosts. He wanted to be a model, to show the church folks what it means to be a Christ follower and to be involved in ministry - - - and - - - - to work.
We are to live our lives and do our work so that others would be willing to imitate us, as we imitate Christ. When we’re not doing this, we may also be considered unruly or disorderly or idle. So, every Christ follower really needs to make sure they are being obedient to the call of Christ.
And Paul adds, when we’re not busy, when we’re more idle than productive, we tend to be busybodies. Instead of having busy bodies, we are busybodies. It means we’re meddling where we don’t belong. We don’t respect boundaries and we tend to be fixated on what others are doing, instead of doing our work.
We are to be workers for Christ! Paul’s very direct and to the point when he wrote . . . “If anyone will not work, they don’t eat.” We aren’t to be a burden to the church – simply because we choose not to work. I understand there are mitigating circumstances in life, and sometimes there are issues which prevent us from working. I am not talking about these issues.
Paul’s referring to people who choose to be idle, and by being idle, he considers them rebellious. These people were a constant drain on the church. They didn’t work. They didn’t have an income. So they asked for and expected handouts from their brothers and sisters in Christ.
Sometimes we don’t believe our work matters to God, let alone anyone. But we need to believe our work definitely matters to God. When we work we honor God by supporting our lives and by supporting the gospel. We honor God with the way in which we conduct ourselves.
It doesn’t matter if you’re in school, working or volunteering. We are to give it our all with whatever we do. If you’re celebrating with your family, give it your all. If you’re playing pickleball, give it your all. If you’re singing in the choir, give it your all. Whatever you’re doing . . . give it your all.
When people in the world, even people in the church see the way we conduct ourselves, they may be drawn closer to Christ. So, how do you show who you are in Christ by the way you work? By the way you approach school? And how we volunteer?
I’ve seen some of the meanest volunteers in my day. In one church, not here, a woman scolded another woman for the way she turned on the water. I wouldn’t have come back. I’ve seen it happen in kitchens, in meetings, in outside ministries, in schools. And it’s a major turn off from wanting to be involved in that organization. So, how we present ourselves to others is vitally important.
It’s what Paul said in Colossians 3 - - - -
17 And whatever you do, in word or deed, do EVERYTHING in the name of the Lord Jesus. . .
Can we do that? Can we do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus? That’s a tall order, yet that’s exactly what we’re supposed to do. That’s really the main goal when we do anything in life . . . whatever you do, do it in the name of the Jesus.
It’s not always easy . . . but that has to be our main focus. This will bring honor and glory to God.
Paul’s words are tough on those who are idle. He tells the believers - - - -
6 keep away from them
14 have nothing to do with them.
Yet - - - - and this is really, really important - - - - they are still to be considered a brother, not an enemy. The hope is by warning them, which can be very difficult, they will draw closer to who they are supposed to be in Christ. We’re stewards of the gifts and abilities God has given us. If we’re able, we are to work because God calls us to work. We should find joy and passion in our work and bring glory to God at the same time.
Look at that last verse again - - - -
15 Do not regard him as an enemy, but warn him as a brother.
They are not an enemy! You are simply and importantly hoping they can be helped so they can bring more glory to God with what God is calling them to do. They’re still a brother or sister in Christ.
It really doesn’t matter what you do, whether you’re a brain surgeon or a maintenance person, whether it’s as an employee, a student or a volunteer. We’re to find the work we’re called to do, then go do it, and do it with joy and passion, as if we are working for Christ . . . and we are.
Sometimes the people around you may make work or volunteering difficult, but Paul tells us we are not to grow weary in doing good. Doing good isn’t always easy, but our focus has to be on making Christ known through everything we do.
For many people we are Jesus. They base their view of Jesus, of Christians, of the church . . . on you and I. And that’s a lot of responsibility for us. Yet, in all we do, how can we seek to never grow weary doing good?
We are to work, we are to volunteer, we are to provide for our families, we are to support the work of the church - - - AND we are to have a Christ-like attitude to go along with it. We can’t leave our faith, our attitude, our passion out of the equation.
When we do what’s right and good, we’re encouraged and even though it may not always be easy to do, we’re doing something which is part of a much larger picture. We don’t always know the impact we’re making.
We may fool ourselves to think that we’re depending on God when we’re really being lazy and idle. The idle thought that since they were Christians they could forget about work.
We can’t have that excuse. Paul commands them —
“If they won’t work, they won’t eat.” (vs. 10). And
they’re to “settle down and earn the bread they eat” (vs. 12). God places a high priority on work.
It’s a biblical concept, that when we work, we are doing good. The call is to honor God. I’ve seen that in so many of you who are here today. I’ve heard your stories about work, about dedication to the company you worked for. The blood, sweat and tears. The driving to work on poor roads in deep snow.
You worked, cared for your family, and gave sacrificially in money and time to the church. You lived your faith in the workplace and people were attracted to you. You inspire me! Thank you!!
Work may be a challenge, but through it we’re given the opportunity to tell others about the love of Jesus Christ. We must be a living example of what it means to be a follower of Jesus Christ. We want others to be part of the “tradition” Paul refers to. Through our work we honor God and those who worship with us. Our work really matters to God.
In the end, Paul commands us not to be busybodies and gossip and talk about others and cause problems. When you have nothing to do with your time, we will always find something to do with our time, and often times, it’s not good. We end up getting tangled up in other people’s lives.
We interfere with a healthy community, and we help it to become infected. We need to call Dr. Jesus and help bring healing. And often times, it takes awhile before healing comes, because people have been hurt, rumors have been spread, wrong information has been believed and the kingdom suffers.
The cure . . . do the work you were called to do so that you bring glory to Christ. Again, as Paul said - - - -
do not become weary in doing good . . . in whatever you do, do it in the name of the Lord Jesus.
When we work for Christ we are doing good. Whatever you’re doing, can you look at what you’re doing — and do it for the Lord?
School? Do it for the Lord!
Work? Do it for the Lord!
Play? Do it for the Lord!
Volunteering? Do it for the Lord!
Next week, we’re going to continue looking at what we started last week, looking at resting in Christ. That theme is the same, when you’re going to rest, do it with all you have.
And whatever you do - - - - seek to glorify and honor our Lord Jesus, the Christ!!
Then you will receive the stamp approval from God!
