Work Is Not a Four Letter Word

Daily Reading: 2 Thessalonians 3

Scripture Focus: If anyone is not willing to work, let him not eat.  (2 Thessalonians 3.10)

Devotional Thought: Today’s devotion deals with laziness and the results of being lazy.  Paul tells us that he worked to earn his way while he worked for the Lord.  Paul was, in the vernacular of today, a "bi-vocational pastor."  Paul’s reason, or at least one of them, was to be a good example to the people he was discipling.  After this, Paul comes up with a rule many of us have memorized, “If any would not work, neither should he eat.”

Kind of harsh, don’t you think?  Or is it?

Let’s look at some good reasons to work:

• To earn money to support your family.

• To save money for your future.

• To have money for good health insurance (this could mean the difference between life or death later).

• To buy some things to help us when we get old (like a home or reliable car).

• For self-esteem. (Who doesn’t feel good after we have done an honest day’s work and earned good money?)

There are plenty of problems with people who do not work:

• They get into trouble. 

• They drink or do illegal drugs.

• They try to date underage girls on the internet.

• They are disruptive, like little children with nothing to do.

Working is hard, and it makes us tired, but it is good.  So, let us heed the words of verse 13: "Do not grow weary in doing good."

Fran Ginn

Prayer: Thank you, Lord, that I have work to do.  Help me to do my work as unto the Lord that I may honor you, that I may give to others, and that I may find satisfaction and fullness.  Amen.

Psalm of the Day: Psalm 32.1-7

1 Blessed is the one whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered.

2 Blessed is the man against whom the LORD counts no iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no deceit.

3 For when I kept silent, my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long.

4 For day and night your hand was heavy upon me; my strength was dried up as by the heat of summer. Selah

5 I acknowledged my sin to you, and I did not cover my iniquity; I said, "I will confess my transgressions to the LORD," and you forgave the iniquity of my sin. Selah

6 Therefore let everyone who is godly offer prayer to you at a time when you may be found; surely in the rush of great waters, they shall not reach him.

7 You are a hiding place for me; you preserve me from trouble; you surround me with shouts of deliverance. Selah