RESPONSIBILITY TO WORK
Yet we hear that some of you are living idle lives, refusing to work and meddling in other people’s business. We command such people and urge them in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ to settle down and work to earn their own living. As for the rest of you, dear brothers and sisters, never get tired of doing good.
2 Thessalonians 3:11-13 (NLT)
What’s your motivation for working, whether volunteer or paid?
I recently watched a documentary about 12 boys and their soccer coach who were trapped in a cave in Thailand when the summer rains came early and flooded the cave. This particular documentary included the perspective of the rescued boys and their young coach. During the 18 days of their confinement, there were hundreds of people from all over the world working to bring the boys out of the cave. During one of the rescue efforts, a Thai Navy Seal lost his life trying to scuba dive through the flooded cave to find the boys. After their rescue, several of the boys spoke of the impact of knowing that hundreds of people were involved in their rescue and that a Navy Seal died in the process. Paraphrasing their words, they said they felt a responsibility to live good, productive lives, carrying out whatever purpose they were on this earth to fulfill because someone died trying to save them.
We have a motivation and responsibility to work and carry out the purpose God put us on this earth to fulfill. God sent His only Son, Jesus Christ, to die on the cross to take the punishment for our sins so that we could be forgiven and be in a right relationship with our heavenly Father. Jesus died to put us in right standing with God, just as if we’d never sinned. He did this simply because He loves us. As I let that sink in, I can’t help but feel the calling to serve my God in some way out of gratitude for what He’s done for me. I can work to show my gratitude.
In addition to working out of gratitude to God, I can work to help carry the load for those around me. If I’m a follower of Jesus, I live as part of the family of God and the body of Christ. 1 Corinthians 12:26 (NLT) tells us that if one part suffers, all the parts suffer with it. We have a motivation to serve and work because it uplifts the rest of the body of Christ; it helps those around us.
Our way of serving or working also gives us a sense of purpose and the privilege of contributing to the cause of the Kingdom of God. As a part of the body of Christ, your role and my role are significant. When I realize my responsibility to the body and remember that Christ died for me, my motivation to continue doing good is rejuvenated.
APPLICATION:
Ask God to remind you what He has done for you. How does that make you feel?
PRAYER:
Father, thank You for dying for me. Show me how and what You want me to do to serve You today. I depend on Your strength to carry out Your will.
“… Our Father in heaven…” Matthew 6:9b (NLT)
- What do You want to say to me today as my Father?
“… may Your name be kept holy.” Matthew 6:9c (NLT)
- What do You want to reveal to me about Your power today?
“May Your Kingdom come soon.” Matthew 6:10a (NLT)
- Help me make Your priorities my priorities today.
“Give us today the food we need,” Matthew 6:11 (NLT)
- Is there anything specific You want me to do with my time or the people I’m around today?
“and forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us” Matthew 6:12 (NLT)
- Reveal to me anyone I need to forgive or ask for forgiveness.
“And don’t let us yield to temptation…” Matthew 6:13a (NLT)
- Is there anywhere I’m vulnerable to temptation?