Pioneer Christian Monthly - September, 1981

The Law of Labour
Wallace Stoepker

"If any one will not work, let him not eat. For we heard that some of you are living in idleness, mere busybodies, not doing any work. Now such persons we command and exhort in the Lord Jesus Christ to do their work in quietness, and to earn their own living."

II Thessalonians 3:10 - 12

Man has always had to work. From the very beginning of creation until the present the Lord has designated that man was to be employed with labour. The Bible reveals in Genesis 2:15 "The Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to dress it and to keep it". God did not assign work as a curse, for man was employed in Eden before sin came into the world. Work was, and is, a blessing. God's people are happiest when they are busy. Work assures a person that he has a purpose to fulfil and that he is needed. Let us pray that in our work we will be conscientious and diligent in our responsibilities.

The apostle who had established a church in Thessalonica heard about a problem that had arisen among some of the members. Some were not working, but were living in idleness. The problem was not. inability to labour or lack of employment. Instead, some were living off the charity and welfare of other members. They were like parasites.

The reason for this idleness and refusal to work is puzzling at first. It is hard to believe that those changed by the grace of God would be so difficult to contend with. But, they sought to justify their conduct with a religious reason. Paul had insisted that they be ready for the Lord's return. His coming was to be by surprise, so they concluded that it was foolish to keep working for the return was imminent. This group must have even pretended to have more faith than the others by saying, "Look how much we trust in the Lord's coming, we have quit our jobs to be ready to meet Him". Actually they became "busybodies".

To rectify the situation, Paul admonished, "If anyone will not work, let him not eat. Now such persons we exhort to do their work". It was not the responsibility of the working members to provide welfare for these drones who lived off others. Paul even advised that anyone refusing to obey his letter was to be shunned in order to make him ashamed.

The Bible gives us further guidance as to the laws of labour. "Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might." "Six days shall you labour and do all your work."

Perhaps these additional words, in II Timothy 2:15, ought to be our guide in our vocation and in the service we render for Christ. "Do your best to show yourself approved unto God, a workman who does not need to be ashamed."

Please click the "Back" button of your browser to return to previous page.