Text: 2 Thessalonians 3: 6 -11
Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that
ye withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly, and not
after the tradition which he received of us.
For yourselves know how ye ought to follow us: for we behaved not
ourselves disorderly among you;
Neither did we eat any man's bread for nought; but wrought with labour and
travail night and day, that we might not be chargeable to any of you:
Not because we have not power, but to make ourselves an ensample unto
you to follow us.
For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any
would not work, neither should he eat.
For we hear that there are some which walk among you disorderly,
working not at all, but are busybodies.
Motivation to work is two-fold. First, work is beneficial. It is good for the individual to do what is constructive so that one may have what is needed to support oneself and one's family. Work is valuable for a community as it provides goods and services. People are happier when they are busy, productive and making positive impact on people's life by their work. Work also makes people to be respected. Second, work provides the means to share with one who has need. This was practiced in the first century church, for example, members of the church in Jerusalem shared with one another so that there would not be a needy person among them (Act 2:45, 4:34). When there was famine in Judea, the churches of Europe and Asia Minor sent relief material to their needy brethren (Act 11:29, 30). Paul admonished the Romans to contribute to the needs of Saints.
The work we do whether with head or hand should be seen as steps of faith and positive actions to support our prayers. In this present generation, the higher and the middle classes in our societies are quick to look down upon the manual work done by the poorer classes to earn their daily bread. No honest work or labour should be seen as dishonouring or undignifying. We must appreciate the fact that every honest work is worthy of commendation, respect, praise and credit. The only thing that one can be ashamed of is idleness. Such end up walking disorderly and becoming busybodies, which is not worthy of us as God's people. As we go out today meeting different people, don't forget to appreciate that hardworking cleaner, the tea lady, that labourer trying to make him/herself a decent living and reduce the cycle of poverty in our world.