You need more money - Or do you? - Part 1
Tony has made reference to the many biblical references to contentment on his blog.
At the moment, I am currently working through in my own life a few issues related to usage of money.
As a uni student I became quite good at living on the cheap. I learned to manage without too much cash at any point in time, and learned how to keep going. Now adjusting to a good wage, I have had to again rethink how I view money.
Work is good, but it is not supreme. It keeps us from becoming busybodies and from exploiting the charity of others.
What is perhaps most compelling about this passage is that work and the discipline of doing work is good, such that even the apostles would be seen to work hard, so that they would provide an example they expected Christians to imitate.
The Thessalonian church seems to have unique circumstances where a call against idleness needs to be given not only once but twice. Other churches Paul had written to don't seem to need the same force of instruction.
On face value, the idea that you should work hard suggests that you might need money. Well not quite. It suggests that you need to be working hard to support yourself, so that if possible, you are not needing to rely on the goodwill of others.
This passage itself doesn't really speak to those who have more than enough to support themselves. I think we can assume that there may have been people exhibiting a harmful generosity, too generous to the point where they are called to not feed those who unreasonably refuse to work.
Key Points:
Work to feed yourself; work to set an example for others, while following Paul's example; work quietly; and encourage those who won't work to consider whether they are serving God appropriately in their actions.
Next time: Enjoying the fruits of your work...
At the moment, I am currently working through in my own life a few issues related to usage of money.
As a uni student I became quite good at living on the cheap. I learned to manage without too much cash at any point in time, and learned how to keep going. Now adjusting to a good wage, I have had to again rethink how I view money.
Work is good, but it is not supreme. It keeps us from becoming busybodies and from exploiting the charity of others.
Now we command you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you keep away from any brother who is walking in idleness and not in accord with the tradition that you received from us. For you yourselves know how you ought to imitate us, because we were not idle when we were with you, nor did we eat anyone's bread without paying for it, but with toil and labor we worked night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you. It was not because we do not have that right, but to give you in ourselves an example to imitate. For even when we were with you, we would give you this command: If anyone is not willing to work, let him not eat. For we hear that some among you walk in idleness, not busy at work, but busybodies. Now such persons we command and encourage in the Lord Jesus Christ to do their work quietly and to earn their own living. (2 Thessalonians 3:6-12)
What is perhaps most compelling about this passage is that work and the discipline of doing work is good, such that even the apostles would be seen to work hard, so that they would provide an example they expected Christians to imitate.
The Thessalonian church seems to have unique circumstances where a call against idleness needs to be given not only once but twice. Other churches Paul had written to don't seem to need the same force of instruction.
On face value, the idea that you should work hard suggests that you might need money. Well not quite. It suggests that you need to be working hard to support yourself, so that if possible, you are not needing to rely on the goodwill of others.
This passage itself doesn't really speak to those who have more than enough to support themselves. I think we can assume that there may have been people exhibiting a harmful generosity, too generous to the point where they are called to not feed those who unreasonably refuse to work.
Key Points:
Work to feed yourself; work to set an example for others, while following Paul's example; work quietly; and encourage those who won't work to consider whether they are serving God appropriately in their actions.
Next time: Enjoying the fruits of your work...
posted by Pete at
12:58 PM
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