2 Thessalonians 3:3-15
Related Sunday School Lesson, Family Bible Series, Aug. 7

 

Many Christians believe that their spiritual life is only a segment of their life, only one piece of the pie. There is a social piece, a family piece, a career piece, a leisure piece, and a few other pieces thrown in. But that's not true. The spiritual life is like the crust on that pie - it is a part of every area of our lives, the foundation for all we do and think and say.

Jesus does not come into our lives to play one instrument in the orchestra. Jesus comes in to be the Conductor. Jesus does not come in just to reside in our hearts; Jesus comes in to preside in our hearts. His Lordship should be especially conspicuous in the area of our work.

Most people don't like their jobs. A recent Gallup poll revealed that 70% of the American workforce is currently dissatisfied with their jobs. Many see their work as a necessary evil. But whether a Christian works in the church, in some business, or in the home, their work should honor God. He can turn a job into a sanctuary of service and a mission field of witness to Jesus Christ.

 

Encouragement from a workingman, 2 Thessalonians 3:3-5

Paul knew what it was like to work in the world. He worked hard to support himself as a tentmaker (verse 8). He must have known what it was like to deal with difficult work conditions, dissatisfied customers, and the drudgery of the daily grind. Through this workingman, God encourages us in our work.

We are assured that as we work, the Lord will be faithful to give us strength when we grow weary. He will guard us from the evil influences that can sometimes be overwhelming in secular workplaces. We should pray along with Paul (verse 5) for the love of God to fill our hearts as we relate to supervisors, employees, and fellow workers. We should pray for the endurance of Christ, who endured the cross, to guide our attitudes on the job. The word for endurance (or patience) is hupomone, meaning a perseverance that does not surrender to circumstances. No matter how frustrating a job may be, in Christ we find a source of strength to keep us going when the going gets tough.

 

Warning against idleness, 2 Thessalonians 3:6-10

The sternness of Paul's rebuke of "idleness" indicates that it had become a threat to the work of the church in Thessalonica. The word ataktos, which is used three times in this passage, is a word that was used for soldiers who would not stay in the ranks. It may be translated "disorderly," "idle," or "irresponsible." Paul's comment in verse 11, however, clarifies what he meant: "not working at all."

While others in the church were working and serving, some lazy believers were not. Some refused to work because they were waiting for Christ's return. They were being presumptuous to expect others to support them. They were becoming a burden to the church, something Paul diligently avoided (verse 8).

When Paul had been doing the work of planting the church in Thessalonica, he had the apostolic authority to demand support (verse 9). Instead, he chose to be a living lesson of how to honor God and support His kingdom through working. Paul worked long hours "night and day." He described his labor as "toil," physical exertion that makes one weary.

Paul instructed the church in how to deal with lazy believers who would not follow this hard-working example: Cut off their support. This may seem harsh, but Paul did not want the important work of ministry and evangelism to suffer at the hands of those who would take advantage of the church. Laziness is unbecoming of a follower of Jesus Christ.

It is best to use this principle to judge our own lives and not those of others. We don't always know why a person does not work. It may be that they have a disability, a lack of job skills and education, or a lack of opportunity. The statement in verse 10 does not exempt us from helping those who are in need. It is often in the context of benevolent ministry that we are able to share the gospel and demonstrate the love of Christ.

 

Busy - not a busybody, 2 Thessalonians 3:11-15

A Christian worker should claim his or her workplace as their mission field. This doesn't mean setting up a pulpit in the break room and preaching to fellow workers.

The best way to serve God on the job is to do our work with excellence and with a Christ-like attitude. Paul uses a clever play on words to drive home this point.

In verse 11, he mentions those busybodies who avoid actual work but are busy interfering with the work of others. Weust's translation says that they "are busying themselves about everybody else's business." That should never be said of a Christian. If we are ultimately serving Christ in our work (Colossians 3:24), then it is a sin for a Christian to shirk his or her responsibilities and to waste time in idle gossip.

"Do not grow weary in doing good." Those are encouraging words for burnt-out believers. Christian worker, you may not think you are making a difference. But remember the parallel passage to verse 13: Galatians 6:9 says, "We will reap at the proper time if we don't give up."

As S. C. Kirk's hymn says, "Every work for Jesus will be blest, but He asks from everyone his best. Our talents may be few, these may be small; but unto Him is due our best, our all."