May 10, 2024 -- II Thessalonians 3:11-13 -- Do not be busy-bodies, but bodies busy at work

For we hear that some among you walk in idleness, not busy at work, but busybodies. 12 Now such persons we command and encourage in the Lord Jesus Christ to do their work quietly and to earn their own living.
13 As for you, brothers, do not grow weary in doing good.
II Thessalonians 3:11-13 ESV

Type into your search engine “universal basic income” and you’ll get a huge number of websites which directly speak to this. Some explain what what it is. Others propose that all people in a society should receive a basic income from the government. The premise is this: doesn’t matter if you are working, or not working, you'd receive money that would put you above the poverty line. This would be yours even if you are not working. Crazy.

When God created Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden, He gave them work to do. This was before there was sin, before the Devil had tempted Eve and the rebellion of humanity had started. Work is part of creation order. It is the command of God. It is the blessing of God. It gives to the one who works the glorious sense of accomplishment in a job well done.

What happens when someone is bored? Idleness leads men and women to create drama. In Thessalonians here the phrase is some people are “not busy at work, but busybodies”. We’ve all met those. People who can with one text stir up drama and anger and frustration.

In our prisons, so many men and women are bored and cause trouble because there are neither educational opportunities nor work opportunities. In our welfare system, healthy men and women are paid to do nothing. In our drug and alcohol recovery centres, so many men and women do time, get clean—but have no goal to be productive, working. Nor do many of these programs encourage healthy working habits.

The greatest and most glorious task any man or woman can undertake is to spread the Good News of Jesus Christ and His salvation. In the Old Testament, God had commanded Adam and Eve to extend the Garden of Eden to fill the earth. The Garden of Eden was the place where God met with His people. So, as the population expanded, there’d be more and more room for people to meet with God.

In the New Testament, Jesus, having borne the punishment of God against sin, commanded His followers to preach the Good News, freedom from slavery to sin, to addictions, to hopelessness, and new life in Christ. Believers work at their jobs as if working for Jesus because He sees their efforts and strivings and honours it. Believers have a work ethic that is noticeable, because it brings credit to Jesus. Work brings order to society. Believers are ordinary people. It is by the strength of the Holy Spirit that believers avoid becoming busy-bodies and we work pleasing the Lord. Those who have worked and are retired are a valuable resource to pray for and encourage those who are actively working. Retirees can volunteer at church and in the community. There is always something useful to do that builds the Kingdom.

Father in heaven, thank You for the new life which is ours in Jesus Christ. We pray for our government, leaders, and policy makers that there will be a recovery of the knowledge of the importance You have placed on honest work. Lord Jesus, thank You for the useful tasks You give Your people. Thank You for the Great Commission\ that as home-makers and retirees, as workers and students, we have the privilege of doing the work You have called us to do. Spirit of the Living God help us to fulfil the command of the Father, so that we will walk in fellowship with our Glorious Lord. Amen.

https://youtu.be/y3gWwGDGgVA?si=ie3DVeyPmuG0rt7A “Take My Life and Let It Be”

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