BaptistWay Lesson for 11/30: Faith that works in the workplace_102003

Posted: 10/17/03

Nov. 30

2 Thessalonians 3:6-13

Faith that works in the workplace

By Dan Curry

Our society is obsessed with leisure time. We live for the weekends and long for the day when we can retire. License plate frames announce people would rather be fishing, golfing, skiing, hiking and camping. Yes, people would rather be doing anything but working. Is there something wrong with work?

Listen to the words of Paul as he speaks of work and idleness. Paul writes: “We hear that some among you are idle. They are not busy; they are busybodies. Such people we command and urge in the Lord Jesus Christ to settle down and earn the bread they eat” (vv. 11-12).

Paul had heard more than once that some in the church were not working to support their own needs. They were “busybodies” instead of being “busy.” Instead of tending to their own business of earning a living, they were meddling in the business of others. Paul places these people in the category of those guilty of leading an unruly life.

When Paul wrote his first letter to the church at Thessalonica, he warned the idle busybodies to get to work (1 Thessalonians 4:11). He instructed the church leaders to “warn those who are idle” (1 Thessalonians 5:14). Paul uses the word “idle” to describe the people who were being a problem. The term “idle” means “unruly” or “disorderly, as a soldier out of rank.” Apparently the problems still existed because Paul devotes this large section of his second letter to correct this problem.

Some believe the origin of this group of idlers in the church came from a group wishing to exploit the Christian love that had flourished so generously among the Macedonian Christians. Since many of the believers were more than willing to share their goods to the point of sacrifice, there were others who were willing to take advantage of this generosity.

Others believe this group of idlers may have been influenced by the Greco-Roman aristocratic disdain for manual labor. The Greek culture did place manual labor at the bottom of the ladder of prestige. Labor was only good for foreigners and slaves.

The most common thought is that this group of idlers had misinterpreted Paul's teachings about the return of Christ. All the talk about the coming of the Lord might have made some feel time was so short they did not want to waste their time on menial tasks. This cause and effect relationship is not stated explicitly in the letter, but it is a safe deduction. If that was the case, this group was now living off the generosity of the church.

Whatever the motivation or reason, this group was not working and had time on their hands. This created other problems because now this group had become “busybodies.” They were not working, and they were also disrupting those who were being faithful in their work. Paul shares with the church what they need to do, he sets himself up as an example and he exhorts the idlers to pay heed to his warning.

A command and a rule to obey

Paul commands the church to avoid fellowship with the unruly. He writes, “In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, we command you, brothers, to keep away from every brother who is idle and does not live according to the teaching you received from us” (v. 6).

This is a stern command. The Greek term translated “we command” is an emphatic verb that means, “to order.” This word was a military term used to describe the commands a superior officer would give to his men. Paul was not requesting the church avoid fellowship; he was ordering it. The order was “to keep away” from these idlers. Paul uses the term “stello” which means “to avoid or pull back from.” How this was to be carried out we are not sure, but it may have included excluding them from the life and meetings of the church. This exclusion would illustrate the spiritual gap their behavior had created.

The fact that these unruly believers faced church discipline demonstrates the seriousness with which God views work. Since believers love the fellowship of other believers, being separated from this fellowship should be painful enough to bring about change in a person's life.

The drastic step of church discipline also was necessary to protect the church's reputation in the city. The world must know God desires for believers to be faithful workers who diligently work at providing for their own needs.

Paul reminds them of the rule he had given them to follow in dealing with those who refused to work. He says, “For even when we were with you, we gave you this rule: 'If a man will not work, he shall not eat'” (v. 10). This saying addresses the person who is able but unwilling to work, not one who is willing but unable to work. The judgment might seem harsh, but it should be understood as an incentive and not punishment.

When Paul writes of church discipline, it is redemptive and constructive. The actions recommended always are designed to correct an improper lifestyle. In this case, Paul was hopeful the ones creating a disturbance by their laziness would heed his warning and correct their lifestyle. Then they could be restored to the fellowship of the church.

An example to follow

Paul justified this command with the example he had given them while teaching in Thessalonica. He had referred to his example in his previous letter (1 Thessalonians 2:9). The church knew Paul had not taken any support from them. Instead, Paul and his companions had set the example of meeting their own needs. He admonishes them to follow his example. Paul wrote: “For you yourselves know how you ought to follow our example. We were not idle when we were with you” (v. 7). Paul's industriousness was in sharp contrast to the laziness of some in the church.

Only in Acts 18:3 are we told the trade by which Paul supported himself. Luke records for us that Paul was a tentmaker. Exactly what this involved is often debated. A number of early church fathers indicate the term should be broadly understood as a person who works with leather. This is quite possible since tents were often made of leather, and tentmakers probably used their skills on other types of leather products as well. Whatever the skill, we are told Paul worked diligently not to be a burden. He writes, “We worked night and day, laboring and toiling so that we would not be a burden to any of you” (v. 8).

Paul makes it clear his working and making tents was not because he did not have the right to receive support. As an apostle, Paul had the right to expect financial support. Every Christian worker has the right to support from the church as they serve the Lord. A church must never use Paul's example as an excuse for not supporting its staff. Paul chose to work in Thessalonica so those who refused to work could not point to his not working as justification for their laziness. Paul's example encouraged the new believers and also silenced the idlers.

An appeal to accept

Paul's direction to the church concerning the unruly and unwilling workers is very authoritative. Repeatedly Paul uses the terms, “command” and “obey.” Paul's desire for those who were unwilling to work was a change in attitude. Why was this so great a concern?

It was a concern because of human nature and the fact that when people stop working they become dependent on others and lose their dignity. These non-workers were also an irritant, creating disunity and discord by being a burden on those who did work. This was beginning to affect the loving harmony of the church.

Paul makes a final appeal to those who have created this disturbance. He does so in the third person to avoid being too personal, but his appeal is strong. He says, “Such people we command and urge in the Lord Jesus Christ to settle down and earn the bread they eat” (v. 12). We do not know how the people responded, but Paul's appeal comes from his heart and with the authority of Christ.

After his direct appeal to the ones involved in this issue, Paul appeals to the church once again. His appeal comes from his concerns for the long-term effect this problem could have on the church. One long-term problem could be that the abuse of people's graciousness would discourage the givers, who might stop giving. The other consequence is that resources would be diverted from the needy.

Those who are sick, aged, widowed, orphaned or disabled are always harmed by the manipulation of the lazy. The danger was the church would grow tired of the deadbeats and become indifferent to the real needs. So Paul writes, “And as for you, brothers, never tire of doing what is right” (v. 13). Giving and helping are always the right thing to do, even when others abuse the generosity.

The proper Christian view of work affirms several truths. First, God commanded it before the fall of man. Therefore, work is not a curse but part of God's plan. Second, God set the example of work for everyone beginning with creation. Finally, work is a gift from God. Through one's work a person finds value, meaning and fulfillment in life. Work also prevents idleness that can be destructive to a person's life and to the kingdom of God.

The work ethic in our society may have eroded, but the biblical work ethic remains for us to follow. This does not mean we cannot enjoy leisure, but for leisure to meaningful it must be accompanied by purposeful work. The two go together.

Questions for discussion

In what ways have you seen the erosion of the work ethic in our society during your lifetime?

What difficulties or problems do you see in our society that could be related to the work ethic we have come to embrace?

How have the societal problems had an impact on the work and ministry of God's people and his church?

What are some ways Christians and the church could set a good example for our society in the arena of work versus idleness?

What examples do we need to set specifically for our children to ensure they see us following Paul's teaching?