A DIRTY FOUR-LETTER WORD – Pt 3

II Thessalonians 3:6-16

Even though the world sometimes considers the word “work” as a four-letter dirty word, I remind you of what I wrote in the January 17th issue of CHALLENGING CONCEPTS: God designed that man should be involved in work. So, it’s not a nasty word; it’s a very important part of our society because it came from the heart of God. In fact, He even demonstrated it in the creation of our world. That set the example for us as He did a perfect job and when it looked at His handy-work, He pronounced it “good.”

In January 24th CHALLENGING CONCEPTS I dealt with the “responsibility” of work. When we read of the Proverb 31 woman we read in verse 24 “She maketh fine linen, . . .” This speaks of the workmanship she put in to her work. Even when Paul turned to speak about work in the spiritual sense, he exhorted in Ephesians 4:1 “I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called.” God has gifted the believer with many talents and varying gifts. He says that each should walk worthy of whatever God has called the believer to do. It is the responsibility of every able-bodied person to fulfill the work laid out for him to do.

In this final issue on this subject I will deal more about the worker than the work.

III. PAUL SPEAKS ABOUT THE RELIABILITY OF THE WORKER – verse 8 “Neither did we eat any mans bread for nought; but wrought with labour and travail night and day, that we might not be chargeable to any of you: . . . verses 12-13 Now them that are such we command and exhort by our Lord Jesus Christ that with quietness they work, and eat their own bread. But ye, brethren, be not weary in well doing.”

It is very important that we understand how important it is to do the best job we can at whatever work we undertake. The wise man wrote in Ecclesiastes 9:10 “Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do do it with thy might;. . .” Let’s notice a few thoughts:

A. The Reliable Worker Is CONTENTED – Notice the phrase, “with quietness work.”

Paul is talking about the worker being a person who is reliable. He focuses on his work and does it with a humble, meek and quiet spirit. This issue of contentment with a man’s work has much to do with his physical, emotional and more importantly, his spiritual health.

Many have the wrong philosophy about work:
• Nathaniel Hawthorn: “Labor is the curse of the world.”
• John Locke: “Labor is against nature.”

There are many today who share this same discontented attitude about work. But if you’re one of the children of God and you have an honorable job, the only way that you can face and enjoy life and be contented is to accept work as the will of God for your life.

Our attitude will be reflected in our work. Our attitude about what God has allowed us to do will be seen in the product we turn out. We need to be contented with our jobs and let the unsaved be the only ones who are guilty of complaining and griping about the job we have.

Sign in kitchen: “Divine services conducted here, three times a day.”

That is the right attitude! That should be the attitude about any work we are called to do.

B. The Reliable Worker Is COMPENSATED – Notice the phrase, “eat your own bread.” It’s one thing to be contented in your work, but it’s another thing to actually be compensated for it. (That’s like getting jelly on your peanut butter sandwich.)

How do you get bread? You work for it. You earn it. There is nothing quite like eating the bread that you have earned.

As I look back on my ministry through the years, I have seen many of those who have either been in my choirs, bands, youth groups or members of my congregation go on to be successful for the Lord. Some are in full-time occupational ministry, others are serving as godly laymen in local churches. That is worth it all. That’s compensation here on this earth.

I worked hard at what God had called me to do, but I would like to think that I would have worked just as hard had I been a blue-collar worker in a factory, etc. A peson should take pride in his or her work. A believer should be the best worker in the office, factory or whatever work they are doing. They will be compensated.

C. The Reliable Worker Is CONSCIENTIOUS – He does not turn out a job that is half done. Paul says in I Thessalonians 4:11 “And that ye study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you:”

Remember, we established in January 17th CHALLENGING CONCEPTS that work was designed by God. God never sent anyone into this world to be idle. Since work is designed by God, each of us should be diligent in doing what God has given us to do. The wise man admonishes us in Ecclesiastes 9:10 “Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do do it with thy might; . . .”

What is your divine calling? What work has God laid out for you to involve yourself? Take pride in your work. Don’t just do enough to get by. I have said many times, “The Christian should be the best worker on the job.” In fact, I believe the child of God ought to be more conscientious than anyone. If a task is given to you, then do the best job possible and work until that responsibility is fulfilled.

Thomas Edison wrote: “I never did anything by accident not do any of my inventions come by accident, but by good hard work.”

Again, since work is a divine gift, that makes the assignment our responsibility and is respectable. Let’s be reliable servants of the Lord.

That’s my view; how about you?