Be Willing to Work

 "Be Willing to Work" may sound like a strange title and topic for a Bible Insight, but it is exactly what Paul wrote in 2 Thessalonians 3:10, where he said, "For even when we were with you, we commanded you this: If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat." And it is very timely for today, as many people simply don't want to work. In many cities, the teacher's unions have the teachers refusing to return to the classroom, keeping schools closed, yet making sure that the teachers still get paid. Still others around this nation refuse to go back to work because the government pays them more in unemployment payments than they made at their jobs. It is a real problem.

Paul led up to this command in verse 10, by testifying of his own habit: "For you yourselves know how you ought to follow us, for we were not disorderly among you; nor did we eat anyone's bread free of charge, but worked with labor and toil night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you, not because we do not have authority, but to make ourselves an example of how you should follow us" (vs. 7-9). Concerning the command, "If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat" (v. 10b), the emphasis is on those who are not willing to work—those who "will not work" (v. 10b).

The point is, if you get hungry enough, you will work so you can buy food. Proverbs 16:26 says, "A worker's appetite works for him, for his hunger urges him on" (NASB). If you have the opportunity and the ability to work for your own food, you are to do so. If you do not, then you are "worse than an unbeliever" (1 Tim. 5:8). The whole verse says, "But if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever." Those who can work, must work. It is that simple. The key being—those who can. Amen.

Follow the Example of Godly People

Paul would agree completely with the words of the Puritan Thomas Brooks, "Example is the most powerful rhetoric" (cited in I. D. E. Thomas, A Puritan Golden Treasury [Carlisle, Penn.: Banner of Truth, 1977], 96). And so 2 Thessalonians 3:7-9 begins and ends with the phrase "you… follow us," or "you… follow our example" (NASB).

One commentator said, "There's an old saying, 'What you do speaks so loudly, I can't hear what you say.' This could not be said of Paul, Silas, and Timothy. They lived by what they taught. They practiced what they preached" (The Preacher’s Commentary, Vol. 32, 2 Thess. 3:7-9, [Nelson Reference and Electronic: A Division of Thomas Nelson Publishers). Therefore, they did not hesitate to point to their own example as to how to live by the Word of God.

"Follow us" (v. 7a), or "follow our example" (NASB), literally means "to imitate." The noun form of that Greek verb is the word from which we get our English word "mimic." We are literally to mimic the life of Paul, or the lives of godly men and women around us.

In 1 Corinthians 11:1 Paul said, "Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ." This is the key. Paul followed Christ so closely, when you look at Paul's life you see Christ at work in him. "We were not disorderly among you," says Paul (2 Thess. 3:7b). "Nor did we eat anyone's bread free of charge, but worked with labor and toil night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you, not because we do not have authority, but to make ourselves an example of how you should follow us" (vs. 8-9). Even though he could have received support from the church, Paul worked as an example for those who refused to work. Godly men and women exemplify Christ. Follow their example. Amen.

Do Not Fellowship with the Disobedient

Second Thessalonians 3:6 says, "But we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you withdraw from every brother who walks disorderly and not according to the tradition which he received from us." The Greek verb translated "we command" (v. 6a) is emphatic. It is an order, not a mere suggestion. The authority upon which this command is issued is "in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ" (v. 6a). In the name of Jesus, you are to follow this command because it comes from Him!

The command of the Lord is to "withdraw from" (v. 6b) or "keep away from" (NASB) "every brother who walks disorderly and not according to the tradition which he received from us" (v. 6b). "Withdraw" (v. 6b) or "keep away" (NASB) means "to avoid, shun, or pull back from." You are to keep away from, or separate yourself from, those who are herein described. Who are these people we are to avoid?

"Walks disorderly" (v. 6b) can be translated "leads an unruly life" (NASB), and is here defined as he who does not live "according to the tradition" (v. 6b) received from Paul. "Tradition" (v. 6b) literally means "something handed down." It refers to divine revelation, or literally to the Word of God as given them through the apostles. "Disorderly" (v. 6b) or "unruly" (NASB) is a military term and means "being out of rank, out of line, or out of order." It was also used in the Greek writings of that day to refer to "apprentices being truant from work" (William Barclay, The Letters to the Philippians, Colossians, and Thessalonians, rev. ed. [Louisville, Kentucky: Westminster, 1975], 217–18). In verse 11, Paul specifically describes the "disorderly" (v. 6b) or "unruly" (NASB) as those who are "not working at all, but are busybodies."

So we are to avoid fellow believers who are deliberately disobedient to the Word of God, who are not working even though they are able, and who are "busy-bodies" (v. 11), those who are into everyone else's business without cause. We are to separate from them because they have rejected the Word of God. Such discipline is always intended to bring repentance and restoration to the fellowship. It is intended to restore our fellowship with them by restoring their walk with God and His Word. Amen.

Work Is a Many Splendid Thing

We all have different views of work. Some of you may think I'm crazy for calling work "a many splendid thing." It seems that most of us would rather be doing something else. According to the Scriptures, then, most of us have a wrong view of work. Actually, over the years, most societies have viewed manual labor with disdain.

Aristotle declared working as a craftsman or a trader to be "devoid of nobility and hostile to perfection of character" (cited in Leland Ryken, Work and Leisure in Christian Perspective [Portland, Oregon: Multnomah, 1987], 64). In a similar vein Roman author Cicero wrote, "The toil of a hired worker, who is paid only for his toil and not for artistic skill, is unworthy of a free man and is sordid in character… Trade on a small retail scale is also sordid" (Ibid, 65).

Viewed apart from God, work seems to have very little value. Even Solomon asked, "What advantage does man have in all his work which he does under the sun?" (Eccl. 1:3, NASB). Viewed completely from a human perspective, he concluded that work is futile. He continued, "Thus I considered all my activities which my hands had done and the labor which I had exerted, and behold all was vanity and striving after wind and there was no profit under the sun... Thus I hated all the fruit of my labor for which I had labored under the sun, for I must leave it to the man who will come after me" (Eccl. 2:11, 18, NASB).

Only when viewed from God's perspective do you see the value of work. Solomon concludes, "There is nothing better for a man than to eat and drink and tell himself that his labor is good. This also I have seen that it is from the hand of God" (Eccl. 2:24, NASB). And again, "Every man who eats and drinks sees good in all his labor—it is the gift of God" (Eccl. 3:13, NASB). For the Christian, all work is seen as a spiritual duty to be done in a manner that gives glory to God. First Corinthians 10:31 says, "Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God."

Note several aspects of the biblical work ethic:

(1) God commanded it: "Six days you shall labor and do all your work" (Exodus 20:9), followed by, "but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord your God" (v. 10). Six days of work is as much a command from God as is the day of rest on the Sabbath.

(2) God is our example that we should follow after Him: Various Scriptures tell us of God's work in creation, preservation, providence, judgment, and redemption. Also, the Lord Jesus worked by redeeming us, building His church, interceding for us, and preparing a place in heaven for us. The Holy Spirit works by convicting us of our sin, regenerating us, and dwelling within us to empower us.

(3) Work is part of the creation mandate to man and is therefore a normal part of our existence: "He causes the grass to grow for the cattle, and vegetation for the labor of man, so that he may bring forth food from the earth" (Psalm 104:14, NASB). So, "Man goes out to his work and to his labor until the evening" (v. 23). Work was not the result of the curse when Adam fell from grace. The curse was that work became difficult and painful.

(4) Work is a gift from God: Remember Ecclesiastes 3:13? "Every man who eats and drinks sees good in all his labor—it is the gift of God" (NASB). Work provides us with value, purpose in life, and fulfillment. Through work God's image is seen in us, as we provide for the needs of all who are in our care.

(5) All work is to be done for the Lord: "Bondservants, be obedient to those who are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in sincerity of heart, as to Christ; not with eyeservice, as men-pleasers, but as bondservants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart, with goodwill doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men" (Eph. 6:5-7).

This biblical work ethic wasn't being followed by some in the church in Thessalonica. Whether they were influenced by the prevailing Greek, Roman, and Jewish views of work believing it to be beneath their dignity, or whether they believed work to be pointless because Christ would return soon, or whether they were simply lazy, Paul doesn't say. But he does indicate that these believers were causing strife in the church as they leaned on the church for support. As Paul shows, all who have the ability and opportunity to work should do so. Only those with legitimate disability or lack of opportunity should be supported by the church. That is the simple view of Scripture.

So we should all work as we are able and we should help those with legitimate needs. In that way, we can meet the commands of Scripture and be transformed into the image of Christ Jesus. Amen.

A Life of Spiritual Growth

When you are focused on Christ, your life will be marked by constant spiritual growth. You are always learning about Christ and you are always growing in faith. Your life is constantly changing as you become more and more like Jesus.

Paul shows his desire for your continual growth in Christ through his benediction in Second Thessalonians 3:5—"Now may the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God and into the patience of Christ." If you are to pray as you should, if you are to live by faith or trust in God as you should, if you are to continue in obedience to God's word daily as you should, then you need the Lord's help. You can't do this on your own power. So Paul here asks, "May the Lord direct your hearts" (v. 5a). God has to do it. All of this is accomplished in your life only as Christ in you empowers you. It is the Lord who directs your heart toward God.

It is the Lord who directs your heart "into the love of God" (v. 5b). "Direct" (v. 5b) means "make straight." It refers to the removing of all obstacles and hindrances as someone opened a pathway or road (John MacArthur, Jr., MacArthur's New Testament Commentary: 1 & 2 Thessalonians, [Moody Publishers: Grand Rapids Michigan, 2001], 297). Paul wants you to continue to grow spiritually, so he asks the Lord to clear the way so your heart, or inner person, will move "into the love of God" (v. 5b).

In other words, as you fix your eyes on Jesus, He directs you into a fuller appreciation of God's love for you (The Expositor's Bible Commentary, Volume 11, [Zondervan Publishing House: Grand Rapids, Michigan, 1978], 333) and at the same time builds your love for Him. Paul wants you to grow deeper and deeper into God's love for you, which in turn will cause you to love Him more and more (MacArthur).

It is also the Lord who directs your heart "into the patience of Christ" (v. 5c). The NASB says, "into the steadfastness of Christ" (v. 5c), while the KJV says, "into the patient waiting for Christ" (v. 5c). That phrase has a certain degree of ambiguity, which Paul used brilliantly. It can refer either to Christ's "steadfastness," also rendered "patience," as in "patient enduring" with believers, or to the believers' patience in Christ's strength, through their endurance.

Christ is patient beyond measure with your sins, problems, and struggles. Paul wants you to understand that truth. He also wants you to have a better understanding of Christ's endurance through trials. As you grow in this understanding of Christ, you will experience greater spiritual endurance in your life. Because of the patience of Christ with you and because of your growing reliance on Him, you can endure all things in Christ.

When your focus is on the Lord—when your eyes are fixed on Jesus—you will continue to grow spiritually, both in the love of God and in the steadfastness of Christ. That is Paul's message. It's all about Jesus. Fix your eyes on Jesus. Keep your focus on Christ, and your life will be one of prayer, trust, obedience and constant growth in Him. Amen.

A Life of Obedience

When you are focused on Christ, your life will be a life of obedience to God. "And we have confidence in the Lord concerning you, both that you do and will do the things we command you" (2 Thess. 3:4). Or, as the NIV puts it, "We have confidence in the Lord that you are doing and will continue to do the things we command." While verse 3 speaks of our trust in Christ because of His faithfulness, verse 4 speaks of our faithfulness to Him as shown in our obedience.

Paul's desire for the Thessalonians was that they would continue to be obedient to the Lord. "You are doing" (v. 4b) refers to the fact that obedience to the Word of the Lord is a way of life for them. Paul then adds, "and will continue to do" (v. 4c), referring to their future. Based on what they were already doing, Paul is "confident" (v. 4a), or persuaded "in the Lord," that they will continue to do what he had taught them. Your union with Christ will guarantee your obedience to the Word of the Lord—"the things we command you" (v. 4d).

You have believed the Word of God, you have been taught the Word of God, you must therefore live in obedience to the Word of God! If your life is focused on Christ, you will live a life of obedience to Him and His Word. As you are taught the Word of God, so obey the Word of God. That is Paul's command. Amen.

A Life of Trust

When your life is focused on Christ, not only will your life be a life of prayer, but your life will also be a life of trust or faith. That is how you will live your life when focused on Jesus—by faith, or complete trust in Him.

Note the promise in Second Thessalonians 3:3: "But the Lord is faithful, who will establish you and guard you from the evil one." The lack of faith is widespread among men. Note again the end of verse 2: "for not all have faith." In contrast to that unfortunate truth is the fact of the faithfulness of the Lord Jesus—"But the Lord is faithful" (v. 3a).

The more we focus on His faithfulness, the more we become faith-filled. He can be relied on to "establish you and guard you from the evil one" (v. 3b), or as the NIV and NASB put it, to "strengthen and protect you from the evil one" (v. 3b). In Christ you are "strengthened" (v. 3b) or given inner security. In Him you are also assured of outward protection from the enemy—Satan.

"Protect" (v. 3b, NIV) is a military term that refers to "protection against a violent assault" (The Expositor's Bible Commentary, Volume 11, [Zondervan Publishing House: Grand Rapids, Michigan, 1978], 332). The last part of 1 John 5:18 says, "he who has been born of God keeps himself, and the wicked one does not touch him." Jesus is faithful, and He will defend you against even the touch of the enemy.

Paul didn't know for certain how strong the Thessalonians' trust in God would be in the face of many trials and persecutions. But, no matter what kind of difficulties they might face, he knew the Lord would always be faithful to them in accomplishing His purposes in them. In fact, he knew that God would be so faithful to them that all they needed to do was to trust Him for His provisions. Do that, and you will always be enabled to withstand any assault brought upon you by this evil world.

Remember 1 Corinthians 10:13—"God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it" (NASB). The Lord will take care of you. He will fill you with internal spiritual strength, while He guards you from external attacks. Trust Him! Exercise faith in Him daily. When you are focused on Christ, you will lean on Him and He will take care of you. Amen.