Working for God

(2 Thess. 3:3-15)

The Bible portrays work as something beneficial and productive

God himself creates, forms, builds, and plants (Gen. 1:1, 2:7,19; Ps. 8:3; 111:3; 127:1;
Amos 9:15, John 5:17; 9:4).

Mankind was put on earth to “dress and keep” it

Dress (abad, Heb.) = Work, Serve, Labor for

Keep (shamar, Heb.) = Keep, Guard, Treasure, Preserve, Protect, Retain, Save,
Watch Over, Celebrate

When working for/in the Lord, He will:

Strengthen you (2 Thess. 2:17, 3:3; see also 1 Cor. 15:58) (Gk word here sterizo (from
which we get steroids)= to firm up, e.g. to set in cement)

When do we need to stand firm?

When challenged or threatened. By what? Temptation

Including the temptation of “idle talk” (i.e. gossip, “trash talking”)

(1 Tim. 5:13; Matt.12:36)

Guard you from giving into the temptations of the evil one and therefore from the harm
that would result (Gk word here phulasso= keep watch over)

Like a parent, not always intervene

Doing such work will keep us from falling into temptation (Ps. 19:13, and Lord’s
Prayer – lead us not into temptation Matt. 6:13; Luke 11:4; see also John 17:15
and 2 Pe. 2:9)

Direct your heart (1 Kings 8:58; Heb. 13:21)

Because we do a pretty poor job trying to direct our own hearts (Jer. 10:23)

Provide you endurance

Do not grow weary in doing good

He will feed/sustain us (John 4:34; 2 Cor. 9:8)

Avoid the company of idle people (in particular, Christians)

So that they be ashamed

Follow Paul & Timothy’s examples in labor and toil

Do not be a burden

For one who is physically able to work to choose to accept welfare handouts rather than
to work seems contrary to the spirit

Why?

To not hold back our own development

To not create resentment in others (2 Thess. 3:8)

“Amplification phenomenon” (e.g. Martha and Mary)

If not willing to work, should not eat (Prov. 13:5; 19:15; Ps. 62:12)

Proper attitude while working

"Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might." (Ecc. 9:10, see also Eph. 6:5-
8)

The Lord will remember and reward your good work (your “labors of love”) (Heb. 6:10; Rev.
22:12)

The most important thing

If we complete the work God has given us to do, we bring Him glory! (John 17:4)