Read 2
Thessalonians 3
In your journal, write down the things that stick out to you from today’s Bible reading. Respond to what God shows you as you feel led (confession, thanksgiving, etc.)
In your journal, write down the things that stick out to you from today’s Bible reading. Respond to what God shows you as you feel led (confession, thanksgiving, etc.)
There is much value to
a quiet, disciplined life. The Holy Spirit could have prompted Paul to write
anything in closing his letter to the Thessalonians. He chose to tell Paul to
encourage the church to live honest lives, marked by a good work ethic. The
Bible actually commands us to be willing to work for a living (v 10). There is
grace in this statement for people who are legitimately unable to work, so long
as their hearts are willing to work. However, everyone who is able is commanded
to leave behind the “undisciplined life … to work in a quiet fashion and eat
their own bread” (v 11-12). A poor work ethic can lead us to become busybodies,
causing harm to ourselves and others. It is no wonder that this passage on work
ends with Paul telling the readers to “not grow weary of doing good” (v 13).
Prayer
and Meditation
1. Think of your primary
area of work, be it in the marketplace, at home, or elsewhere. How is your work
ethic? Do you work willingly or begrudgingly?
2. Paul told the
Thessalonians to be lead by his example, not the example of people who lead
unruly lives. Who is influencing you? Should this change? Who should you be
influencing? (This is a good thing to evaluate in your relationships from time
to time.)
3. Pray for your family
from verse 5. This is a wonderful thing to pray for a person, whether or not
they are Christian.
