Written by: John Sernaque
Call to Worship
2 Thessalonians 3: 10
3:10 For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat.
Complete Dedication of Paul—
If any man will not work, neither shall he eat, applies to the spiritual, religious life as well as to earthly, temporal things. {7BC 911.8}
Paul not only endured the taxation of the physical powers in common labor without one feeling of either belittling or degrading himself, and without discontent; but he bore the burden while at the same time exerting the activities of his mind to advance and attain in spiritual knowledge. He taught, and he practiced the lessons he taught. He had repeated visions from God, and from the light given he knew every man must be a worker with brain and muscle and sinew. This faithful disciple of Christ, and apostle of Jesus Christ, was dedicated without reserve to the service of God (Letter 2, 1889). {7BC 911.9}
If one is not working for wages and his own support, they should not eat. Supporting them with church money encourages them in sinful habits. Idle hands are a playground for Satan. Idleness is a sin. Satan knows this and provides many distractions to keep God’s people from the work at hand. Satan works at instilling sinful habits to those sitting around in idleness. We are to encourage those not working to get educated to do useful work for wages. Learn a trade or vocation, God is always ready and willing to help those who try to help themselves. Unfortunately, there will be those who do not heed the words of Paul’s epistle. Some will follow their own will and bring ruin upon themselves. Their sin will be on their own head. Besides working for wages, we are to carry out the work of advancing God’s cause. Paul worked as a tentmaker while at the same time teaching, preaching, and evangelizing to the service of God. Paul dedicated himself knowing that every man must be a worker for God. Paul talked the talk and walked the walk. Believe, and walk in the way of truth and righteousness. This is the way. Amen.
Our Father, which art in heaven,
We come before You into Your presence in thanksgiving, praise, and prayer. We thank You so much for giving us the wherewithal to have a work to do to support our families, ourselves, and to further the work in advancing Your cause. We thank You for giving us the mental and physical abilities to work for our wages. We thank You for leading us in the paths of righteousness for Your names sake. Thank You for being our shepherd. Thank You for being with us. Thy rod and thy staff they comfort us. Thank you for being there for us when we are weary and heavy-laden for us to come unto You and giving us rest. We pray for Your strength and courage to continue going forward as You have commanded us. Help us to walk as Paul did, and may all the brethren heed the word of his epistle. We pray for all Your people to engage in gainful work and to give up their idleness. Help in educating and preparing them for a great work You have appointed them to do. Please grant us all Your wisdom and understanding to do what is right in Your sight. Keep a hedge of Your holy angels round about us to keep us safe and protected from Satan, his demons, the people he works through, and all the devices he uses. For if, You are with us, who can be against us? Help us in attaining spiritual knowledge to be teachers, preachers, evangelists, and Bible workers. Help us as Your disciples to be totally dedicated without reserve to Your service. Help us as we go out to the four corners of the world with the everlasting gospel. We pray for a bountiful harvest. Increase our faith, and help our unbelief. We pray to walk in the way of truth and righteousness. We thank You for hearing and answering our prayers, in the name of Christ Jesus, we pray. Amen.
Comments