A couple years ago, I was talking to a friend who had recently retired from his vocation. He has always been a hard worker and enjoyed having a lot of things going on at once, but in observing him from a distance, I started to notice some unhealthy habits developing in his life. We're good enough friends that I was able to be honest with him about what I was seeing.
It came to my attention a while back after he told me about a visit from his grandchildren. They were all at his house, having a good time, making noise, and moving everything around. When they left, it dawned on him that one of them moved the remote for the television and placed it where he couldn't find it. He was livid.
When I asked him why it was bothering him so much, he said, "What else do I have? At this point, I just want to watch TV, and now I can't even do that." His comment helped me realize how depressed he was, and how that depression was transforming a healthy, productive man, in unhealthy ways.
The Lord has called each of us to be productive in multiple ways, with the time, talents, and abilities we presently have. This was something Paul wanted the Thessalonians to understand as well, but some in their context were clearly struggling to grasp that truth.
So how can we be productive when the couch keeps calling our name? How can we stay productive for the Lord's glory when we'd rather take a prolonged nap?
I. Be a blessing, not a burden
“Now we command you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you keep away from any brother who is walking in idleness and not in accord with the tradition that you received from us. For you yourselves know how you ought to imitate us, because we were not idle when we were with you, nor did we eat anyone’s bread without paying for it, but with toil and labor we worked night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you. ”
In his first letter to the Thessalonians, Paul warned them not to be lazy. If there were any idle brothers among them, the church was told to challenge them to repent of their laziness and get back to work. For whatever reason, it appears that there were still some people in the church who hadn't yet taken these words to heart, so Paul elaborated on that admonition further.
In this passage, Paul challenged the church to stop socializing and spending their time with believers who walked in idleness. There was a two-fold reason for doing so. First of all, it could be a form of social discipline for the lazy person. Second, it would help prevent the bad habits of those individuals from rubbing off on others.
As Paul shared this challenge, he did so as someone with great credibility. He reminded them of the example he set for them when he was with them. During his visit, he didn't burden them financially. He worked hard at his tent-making trade so he wouldn't have to be dependent on them for money. He even states here that he didn't eat the food of others without compensating them for it. Paul wanted to be a blessing, not a burden to this church.
Years ago, I had a conversation with a woman who was in failing health. She had worked hard all her life, but in her weakened state, she was now relying on others to care for her. It never set well with her, and she said to me, "I feel like I'm being a burden to everyone." She wasn't a burden, but that's how she felt. But in the church in Thessalonica, there were people who didn't seem too troubled in conscience to burden the church family with their needs, even though they could have met their own needs through hard work and personal effort.
II. Show integrity in your labor
“It was not because we do not have that right, but to give you in ourselves an example to imitate. For even when we were with you, we would give you this command: If anyone is not willing to work, let him not eat. For we hear that some among you walk in idleness, not busy at work, but busybodies. Now such persons we command and encourage in the Lord Jesus Christ to do their work quietly and to earn their own living.”
Paul elaborated further on the importance of showing integrity in our labor. He reminded this church that even though he had the right to be compensated for the spiritual care he provided when he was among them, he willing went without compensation. He wanted to give them an example to imitate. He wanted to give them a picture that could point their hearts to the sacrificial service we have been shown by Jesus Christ. And Paul wanted to make sure that the people of that city could never falsely accuse him of doing what he was doing because he was motivated by dishonest gain.
But since there were those within that church who seemed to be ignoring the example of Christ's service, and the direct teaching on labor that they had received from Paul, Paul gave them a more forceful form of instruction that would be hard to misunderstand. He said, "If anyone is not willing to work, let him not eat." That seems harsh, but is it? I think it makes perfect sense. Instead of sitting around gossiping, complaining, and taking advantage of the hard work of others, some of these brothers and sisters needed a kick in the pants. Missing a few meals might just do the trick.
Again, keep in mind that Paul was addressing this to people who had the opportunity and ability to work, but were choosing not to. This wasn't a statement regarding those who needed compassionate care and benevolence. This was a word of correction to those who were taking advantage of others so they could sit around all day doing nothing.
As a pastor, I'm often given the task to try to determine how to share benevolent forms of care with those who have needs. Sometimes, it's obvious that there's a genuine need that the church can help meet. Other times, it becomes clear that people who persist in laziness are just trying to take advantage of the giving nature of local churches. I have had to confront that form of deceit multiple times throughout the course of my years in church leadership.
So, what does it look like for us to show integrity in the labor the Lord has given us? A while back, I happened to see a documentary on the life of Charles Spurgeon. Spurgeon loved Jesus and was motivated to preach His gospel, serve His people, and evangelize the lost. As I watched the film, I was fascinated with Spurgeon's level of productivity, and I pulled six principles from that documentary that I wrote down so I could share them with others as well.
Charles Spurgeon was a well-known pastor during the late 1800’s. He pastored a church that grew very large under his leadership, while writing approximately 150 books, publishing a magazine, founding an orphanage, establishing a pastors’ college, and starting many other Christ-centered ministries (a large percentage of which are still operating).
Here are six principles I gleaned from that overview of his life that I think will help us become productive in our work as well. (Here's a link to the full article I wrote about it).
1. Understand what needs to get done.
2. Create a schedule and keep to it.
3. Eliminate sloth and time-wasters from your schedule.
4. Surround yourself with a team that helps you get things accomplished.
5. Schedule time for prayer and rest.
6. Don't neglect your family.
III. Don't grow weary in doing good
“As for you, brothers, do not grow weary in doing good. If anyone does not obey what we say in this letter, take note of that person, and have nothing to do with him, that he may be ashamed. Do not regard him as an enemy, but warn him as a brother.”
Paul stated something in these verses that is immensely helpful for believers to understand when they devote themselves to faithfully serving the Lord. As the Holy Spirit inspired his words, Paul encouraged the church not to grow wearing in doing good. Have you ever experienced feelings of weariness while you were serving God's people? If you've been serving as an active volunteer in a local church, or if you've been leading an active ministry department, I have no doubt that at times you have definitely experienced weariness. It comes to us all.
It can be particularly wearisome when you're not only trying to do what the Lord has called you to do, but you're also trying to carry the weight for others who won't share in the load. It's exhausting when you have to repeatedly admonish and warn other believers who seem to value their own comfort more than anything else in this world. Paul's words in this passage show that he understood how this felt.
Earlier this week, two pastors I have admired since childhood passed away. In fact, they were also friends, and they passed away within 24 hours of each other. Their ministries began before I was even born, but in the decades I have had the privilege to observe them, I have watched them both persist in their work, refusing to give up, even when they went through prolonged periods of burden and discouragement. They lasted so long in ministry because in their moments of weariness, they allowed Jesus to lift them up and see them through. And I'm certain that now that they're face-to-face with Christ, they would most certainly say, it was all worth it.
IV. Walk in the grace and peace of Christ
“Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times in every way. The Lord be with you all.
I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand. This is the sign of genuineness in every letter of mine; it is the way I write. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.”
As Paul ends this letter to the church in Thessalonica, he does so by encouraging them to walk in the grace and peace of Christ. The peace Christ supplies isn't merely the absence of conflict. It's a steady confidence in Him that isn't lost during seasons of heaviness and trial.
The grace of Christ is His unmerited favor that He bestows upon His family in more ways than we can easily count. Are you walking as one who has been immensely blessed by His grace? Do you live as someone who is continually comforted by His peace?
The Lord's calling on our lives is more significant than any other voice we'll ever hear. Our couches may be calling us to fold our hands and rest, but Christ has called us to press on and not give in to weariness while we do the good He empowers us to do.
There will be plenty of time for us to slumber if we truly need it, but for now, let's remain active and productive while we joyfully wait for Christ's return.
© John Stange, 2020
