What do you recall about the origin of Labor Day? Some people trace its beginnings to Richard Owen, who claimed May 1, 1833 as the beginning of the millennium. The first May day or labor day celebration occurred in Paris on 1889 according to what I read and most countries that observe a labor day do so on May 1. Canada and the United States have fixed the first Monday in September as Labor Day, and in these countries it is a national holiday in which all classes, not simply laboring people participate.

What do the Scriptures have to say about the subject of work or labor? Specifically, for a few moments this morning I want us to consider Paul's instructions in the third chapter of his second letter to the Thessalonians. Three words help me to organize these teachings in my mind. Perhaps they will be helpful to you, too.

I. Problematic

Dealing with the subject at hand is problematic. I don't mean that it is a problem for us to deal with it, but that there is a problem that is leading to Paul addressing the subject. Of course, the subject at hand is work, labor. In the previous letter to the Christians at Thessalonica Paul had encouraged them to work with their hands. Now, in his second letter to them, it appears that the problem has greatly intensified.

One obvious reason for the problem of their laziness is the same as in the first epistle, a wrong attitude toward Paul's teaching about the second coming of Christ. However, in spite of Paul's instructions about working in the first letter, the problem seems to have gotten worse instead of better. Apparently some of the Christians had given up their work and abandoned their everyday tasks to wait in idleness for Jesus to return.

This has happened among some groups a number of times in the last two thousand years and probably will again before Christ comes back in glory. You may recall some waiting, giving up their work before the Jewish holiday of Rosh Hosh Anna in 1988.

While many Christians are awaiting Jesus Christ's return in some future day, a Paul certainly taught about this, such teaching is not an excuse for laziness, for sitting around doing nothing.

Believing that our Savior will return should instead motivate us to really get to work, and that is what Paul is trying to do.

II. Autocratic

Having given explanation for the word problematic, the next word in my outline is autocratic. That word would be descriptive of Paul's approach to the problem of laziness.

I want to reread this text from the Message.

Our order-backed up by the Master, Jesus-are to refuse to have anything to do with those among you who are lazy and refuse to work the way we taught you. Don't permit them to freeload on the rest. We showed you how to pull your weight when we were with you, so get on with it. We didn't sit around on our hands expecting others to take care of us. In fact, we worked our fingers to the bone, up half the night moonlighting so you wouldn't be burdened with taking care of us. And it wasn't because we didn't have a right to our support; we did. We simply wanted to provide an example of diligence, hoping it would prove contagious.

Don't you remember the rule we had when we lived with you? "If you don't work, you don't eat." And now we're getting reports that a bunch of lazy good-for-nothings are taking advantage of you. This must not be tolerated. We command them to get to work immediately-no excuses, no arguments-and earn their own keep. Friends, don't slack off in doing your duty.

Perhaps you might use the word authoritative instead of autocratic. Paul gives them a command in the authority of Jesus Christ, our master. Leon Morris suggests that there is something of a military tone here. The language sounds like that of an officer ordering his troops and that of a soldier who fails to stay in rank.

Recall that this letter of command is not the first time they had heard this. The Thessalonian Christians had been given these instructions in the previous letter and when Paul was living at Thessalonica he had taught them to work by word and example. Many of us parenting children practice an approach where if our children do not obey when they have been told twice, it is time for discipline. Maybe this was Paul's autocratic approach for his spiritual children.

Paul tells us they had a rule, "If you don't eat." There has been some speculation on the source of this rule. Some think it may be from a Jewish proverb from Genesis 3:19. Certainly the Jews glorified work. The Rabbis said, "He who does not teach his son a trade, teaches him to steal." Others say it is a Greek saying, even coming from Christ who was identified as a man who worked as a carpenter. It could be a bit of good old workshop morality. Certainly, it has been used much since Paul used it in this letter. Realize too, that the issue is the refusal of a person who can, but will not work.

III. Empathetic

You have heard the first two words of my outline, problematic and autocratic. Finally I come to empathetic. Since Paul is very clearly authoritative in his commands and makes his instructions firmly at first glance his empathy may not be obvious.

These Christians, including those who could work, but refuse to are addressed as brethren more than once in this passage. They are not spoken of as enemies, but as members of the community of faith. Stern words here are intended to bring correction.

William Barclay gives this passage of scripture the caption, "Discipline in Brotherly Love." I think Paul's affection and empathy is for those who are lazy and for those who are working diligently. The diligent could certainly use help rather than freeloaders. We do not demonstrate Christ's love well when we do not speak about such injustice and hope some wrong doers will be changed.

Conclusion

There is work to be done at your job, and your home. Much needs to be done in our community and church for the cause of Christ. Are you a worker, or a freeloader? Let me leave you with this thought: Too many people stop looking for work when they get a job.

Return