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PROGRAM D-7918
Are you a happy worker, or do you try to get out of as much work as you can? In looking at the topic of work, we understand that God created work, it is his idea, it’s his plan that we should all work, and that our work should glorify him. If you are a Christ-follower, your attitude toward work should be a positive one; you should be a willing and joyful worker.
The Bible has plenty to say about people who are too lazy to work. Let’s look at one of those passages from 2 Thessalonians 3:6-10:
In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, we command you, brothers and sisters, to keep away from every believer who is idle and disruptive . . . For you yourselves know how you ought to follow our example. We were not idle when we were with you, nor did we eat anyone’s food without paying for it. On the contrary, we worked night and day, laboring and toiling so that we would not be a burden to any of you. We did this. . .in order to offer ourselves as a model for you to imitate. For even when we were with you, we gave you this rule: “The one who is unwilling to work shall not eat.”
Evidently there were some in this early church who were willing to “be on the dole,” as we say. Paul addresses this very strongly here. Idleness and laziness were not to be tolerated in this body of believers, and it should not be today either. Certainly there are those who are willing to work but simply are not able to work. Those are the people we should help and not let them fall through the cracks. This should be part of the church’s responsibility more so than the government’s. But working—honest hard work—should be the hallmark of a Christ-follower.
Consider what we accomplish by working which is in addition to supporting ourselves and our families: we have money to give to worthy causes. By our work, someone’s life is made a little better: the restaurant worker helps someone enjoy a meal; the sanitation worker removes refuse that could cause disease; the factory worker produces a product that enhances lives; the delivery truck driver brings needed things to people. Every legitimate, moral form of work adds something to the good of people.
So, are you a happy worker—one who is happy to do the work you have to do? Are you carrying your share of the workload—on your job, at home, and at church? Not only does work bring glory to God, but it also brings meaning and satisfaction into your own life.