I Thessalonians 4:9-12

I Thessalonians 4:9-12

In a moment Paul will address the second coming.  Before that he will give some very practical advice.  This church was excellent in the practices of love, generosity and graciousness.  God’s prompting taught them both the conviction of love and its practice.  But there was a misunderstanding.  There were apparently some who rather than work relied on the charity of the brethren.  Almost certainly they anticipate that Christ would return soon.  So they had stopped secular work to be religiously busy.  If Jesus was coming soon they wanted to be, or at least appear to be busy.

It is easy for wealthy Christians to be abused and treated as little more than ‘giving units’.  One of the worst things that can happen to a community of faith is a benefactor giving the kind of gift that creates the illusion that there is no need for ongoing generosity.  Paul will address this in his second letter more directly, specifically and sternly.  There is a message here for those who would be professional clergy.  While ‘ministry’ can be a career of conscientious hard work it is also an opportunity for the caricature of the lazy, undisciplined, slacker who without accountability and daily supervision, does nothing meaningful.  

In contrast to the religious busy bodies Paul offers a foundation for a work ethic that will make the most of opportunities and more importantly honor God.  Every Christian ought to be engaged in honest work, honestly done.  Whether they are titans of industry or a slave owned by a godless master the principle found in verse 11 can guide our work and will testify our faith.  On the one hand a Christian is precluded from some jobs, there are no Christian drug dealers or Christian strippers.  On the other hand our honest work must be honestly done.  The Christian salesman who misleads or deceives a customer is no more ethical than a “Christian prostitute”.  

The world has a right to look at the life of a believer and see that there is a standard and practice of holiness that goes beyond the morals rules and prohibitions.  There is no better place to practice a positive holiness of love than in the workplace.  

“Lord, help me to do honest work, honestly done, that is a springboard for ministry. AMEN”