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We need to be a working people. 2 Thessalonians 3:6-13. Paul was a man who valued work. Paul was a tentmaker by occupation (Acts 18:3). On more than one occasion, Paul provided an example of hard work .
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Paul was a man who valued work. • Paul was a tentmaker by occupation (Acts 18:3). • On more than one occasion, Paul provided an example of hard work. • “You yourselves know that these hands have provided for my necessities, and for those who were with me” (Acts 20:34). • “You remember, brethren, our labor and toil; for laboring night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you, we preached to you the gospel of God” (1 Thess 2:9).
You know that the early church helped the poor greatly. • When Paul talked with those who were apostles before him, Paul says, “They desired only that we should remember the poor, the very thing which I also was eager to do” (Gal 2:10). • Paul says that the one who stole should give up stealing and work with his hands “that he may have something to give him who has need” (Eph 4:28).
We need to be a working people. How do we apply this text?
Those who are working need to be industrious at work. • Work is highly valued in Scripture. • God worked when He created the world (Ex 20:8-11). • Man was created to work. • “The LordGod took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to tend and keep it” (Gen 2:15).
The Scriptures urge us to be a hard-working people. • “Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might” (Eccl 9:10). • Notice what Paul says to first-century slaves in Eph 6:5-8--Notice that they were to work “as bondservants of Christ.” • “Whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men” (Col 3:23). • This week find a way that you can work “as to the Lord and not to men.”
Those who do not work full-time need to be industrious in service. • That’s the way of Jesus. • Those who are blessed of the Father feed the hungry, give drink to the thirsty, take care of the “stranger,” and care for the naked, the sick and the imprisoned (Matt 25:34-36). • Dorcas“was full of good works and charitable deeds which she did” (Acts 9:36). • What will you do to be of service?
Do you need to dedicate your life to working for the Lord this morning?