The Apostle Paul’s Work Ethic

Tuesday 5-19-15 (Valcheta, Argentina)

Scripture reading:  1 Kings 4-5    2 Chron 2    Ps 101     2 Thess 3

S.  2 Thess 3:12-13  Settle down and get to work.  Earn your own living.  And I say to the rest of you, dear brothers and sisters, never get tired of doing good. NLT

O.  The Apostle Paul was well acquainted with the Thessalonian congregation.  Apparently he was aware of some that were lazy, hanging around mooching off others who were working hard.  He has lots of good things to say about this congregation, but makes some pretty strong statements related to these lazy Christians.  “Hey, you are a big boy now.  Settle down and go get a real job.” 

A.  We were starting a church in Merlo, near Buenos Aires.  A young couple had just had a new baby and were showing him off in our crusade tent.  The young father was taking on odd jobs here and there, but was not “bringing in the bacon”, as we used to say.  I heard about a large reliable business in the area that was hiring young workers and suggested to him that he put in his name.  But he let me know that he was not interested in a “real job that would tie him down.”  He did not want an 8 AM to 5 PM job.  He preferred little jobs that would leave him plenty of free time.  So here is Brother Paul sending this young father a word of wisdom.  “Hey boy, you are a daddy now.  Go get yourself a real job!”

P.  Lord, I thank you for a father that had a healthy work ethic and passed that on to me.  Yes, Lord, You remember that during the worse part of the great depression my father worked two full-time jobs to support his family… and almost never missed a Sunday church service.  I also thank You that each of our three sons have honored that same work ethic and even in difficult moments have never come to their daddy for help, but rather have concerned themselves about us: their parent’s, welfare.  Now, Lord Jesus, I pray that You would always bless them with not only material success, but with a close relationship with You and a true Christian heart that “never gets tired of doing good” for others.  Amen.

Ralph