Working For God

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.