Bible Society of South Africa

In the New Testament we read that Paul for example, also knew the value of hard work. He preached the gospel, but he was also a tent-maker in order to provide for his own physical needs.

Paul writes to Titus, “Our people should learn to spend their time doing something useful and worthwhile.”  Titus 3:14

In the passage that follows below, it is clear that Paul is frustrated with the believers who were loafing around and would not work. Paul does not condemn people who, for whatever reason, do not have a job. He speaks to Christians who do not want to work and would rather interfere in other people's business.

“My dear friends, in the name of the Lord Jesus, I beg you not to have anything to do with any of your people who waste their time and refuse to obey the instructions we gave you. You know that you should follow our example. We didn’t waste our time being lazy, and we didn’t accept food from anyone without paying for it. We didn’t want to be a burden to any of you, so night and day we worked as hard as we could. We had the right not to work, but we wanted to set an example for you. We also gave you the rule that if you don’t work, you don’t eat. Now we learn that some of you waste your time and won’t do any work, except the work of a busybody. So, for the sake of our Lord Jesus Christ, we ask and beg these people to settle down and start working for a living. Dear friends, you must never become tired of doing right.”  2 Thessalonians 3:6-13

Perhaps there is someone in your life who will not work. Read verse 15 of 2 Thessalonians 3 again, “Don’t consider them your enemies, but speak kindly to them as you would to any other follower.”

Prayer: Lord Jesus, help me to reach out today to those who want to work, but for some reason do not have a job. Help me to have the courage to speak kindly to those who do not want to work. Amen