Do Not Be Idle

2 Thess 3:6-16

 

1. This summer is hot, and we enjoy some vacation. Many people are waiting a summer vacation for a whole year. A balanced life of work and rest was designed by God. He worked hard for six days of creation and then he rested in the seventh day as the balanced pattern for us humans. It was applied to the whole universe, even to the land. Rest cleanses and restores our tired body and mind due to hard work and prepares us for the next work. No proper rest results in sickness and even death. Therefore, rest is the grace of God as well as the humility of man.

2. However, rest without work destroys the balance of healthy life. It is against the will of God, our Creator and Savior. God wants for us to work hard and then rest. It is another aspect of our salvation, to make us a good worker to serve for God and our neighbors. Jesus said that "My Father is always at his work to this very day, and I, too, am working."(John 5:17) God is a hard worker, and so are Jesus and the Holy Spirit. Because Christians are the followers and imitators of God, we have to work hard. But some early Christians misunderstood the Christian life as something like joyful fellowship to spend time together in eating, talking and singing. Paul heard this and severely rebuked such Christians as wrong and bad. Even, he gave some disciplinary direction to the Thessalonian church: “In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, we command you, brothers, to keep away from every brother who is idle and does not live according to the teaching you received from us.”(6); “If anyone does not obey our instruction in this letter, take special note of him. Do not associate with him, in order that he may feel ashamed. Yet do not regard him as an enemy, but warn him as a brother.”(14-15)

3. To be a good Christian means to be a good worker. God called us to be good workers for the Kingdom of God. Then, what is a good worker? First, a good worker is a hard and diligent worker. Being idle is a problem. Idleness is different from rest. It is unnecessary rest and rather harms body and soul. Proverb describes the sluggard like these: ”The sluggard buries his hand in the dish; he will not even bring it back to his mouth!”(19:24); ”The sluggard says, ‘There is a lion outside!’ or, ‘I will be murdered in the streets!’"(22:13); ”As a door turns on its hinges, so a sluggard turns on his bed.”(26:14) Because not to work is against the will of God and creation order, it immediately and naturally results in the problem of survival. It is called “natural punishment”. So, the apostles gave some work rule to Christians: “For even when we were with you, we gave you this rule: ‘If a man will not work, he shall not eat.’”(10) Even, a small insect works hard for survival. Nature works busy. So, the Bible says: “Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider its ways and be wise!”(Prov. 6:6) The sluggard does not fit to survive in this universe. Paul gave the example of diligent work to the fellow Christians: “For you yourselves know how you ought to follow our example. We were not idle when we were with you, nor did we eat anyone's food without paying for it. On the contrary, we worked night and day, laboring and toiling so that we would not be a burden to any of you. We did this, not because we do not have the right to such help, but in order to make ourselves a model for you to follow.”(7-9) If one does not work, he or she will be a burden for others and eat by other’s work. And, they will become poor and their house will perish: “If a man is lazy, the rafters sag; if his hands are idle, the house leaks.”(Eccl 10:18)  So, to the idle Christians, Paul urged to earn their bread: “We hear that some among you are idle…  Such people we command and urge in the Lord Jesus Christ to settle down and earn the bread they eat.”(11-12) The Bible teaches that we have to make not only our bread but also that of our family (1Tim 5:8) and other needy people, offerings (Eph 4:28, Acts 20:33-35), saving for emergency and future (2Cor 12:14, Tit 3:14), and taxes (Matt 22:21, 17:24-27, Rom 13:1-7).

4. Second, a good worker is a right worker. Hard worker is not simply a good worker. We need work ethics. If we imitate God in work, we have to work hard in positive way. Robbers, drug-sellers, gamblers and gangsters work hard, but they are not good workers because such work is not right. Paul says that “as for you, brothers, never tire of doing what is right.”(13) Any work to be harmful to others, whether it is producing, selling, teaching, serving, operating, or any activity, is not right. Such a work is sinful and criminal even when it is legal in form. If some Christians work hard to manufacture or sell something harmful for others, he or she should repent and change work: “He who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with his own hands, that he may have something to share with those in need.”(Eph 4:28) Paul gave an example of bad business which is in fact laziness and idleness. It is busy contact and gossip: “Besides, they get into the habit of being idle and going about from house to house. And not only do they become idlers, but also gossips and busybodies, saying things they ought not to.”(1Tim 5:13) Verse 11 sharply pointed out that “They are not busy; they are busybodies.” Even for gossiping and troublemaking, it takes time and energy. But, it is not a right work. Of course, a good work may not be paid. A good worker is one who helps and contributes for people and society, whether it is paid or not. It is not a selfish work only for money and gain. Human being is so precious and worthy, and therefore any good work is impossible to be fully paid. Money cannot buy human being. Our job whether it is paid or not is our calling and vocation. A selfish work only for the benefit of oneself is a bad work and thus no work. It is the sin of sloth. Even though we have enough money to live, we have to work because work is not for money but for contribution and help for others. We may not complaint or excuse that we have no ability to work. In the parable of talent, Jesus said to such a man: “You wicked, lazy servant! So you knew that I harvest where I have not sown and gather where I have not scattered seed?”(Matt 25:26) Even many handicapped people work hard. Even many people who has less talented than us work hard. Our congregation has some wonderful examples of good workers who work hard to help and contribute for others.

5. Third, a good worker is a Kingdom worker. Every servant of the Lord should work hard: ”Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.”(Rom 12:11) Salvation is like giving a work to do. Jesus said that “'Why have you been standing here all day long doing nothing?” and gave a work.(Matt 20:6) What is the Kingdom work for us to do diligently? It is the work of love for God and neighbors: sharing our materials, time, ability, heart and love with those who need our help such as the poor, weak, sick, lonely, and lost. Our life is the God-given opportunity to work and help others as much as possible. Whatever the situation is, do not be idle and work hard for the Kingdom! For such a good worker, God will bless richly and reward greatly: “Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way. The Lord be with all of you!”(16) Amen.