(Audio/Video/Text)
Title: Put Off/Put On Part Three: Labor
Intro:
Anyone except Dan can answer this question: Why is work important? Now, Dan, you can answer.
Read from v.26 through v.28
Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your wrath, nor give place to the devil. Let him who stole steal no longer, but rather let him labor, working with his hands what is good, that he may have something to give him who has need.
Notable English Translation Differences:
Honestly, none.
While the wording changes slightly from version to version, there is nothing noteworthy in the differences that might even slightly change the meaning, it’s a very straight-forward teaching, complete with reasoning and conclusion.
What this verse is about is transformation. Under the umbrella of the larger teaching that “becoming a Christian changes us…it changes our actions, our motivations, and the results of our actions toward other people.”
And perhaps these truths are no more evident than in a passage like this. Consider:
- Paul does not sweep under the rug our former conduct, he confronts the reality of who we USED TO BE: Thieves. (Just like Jesus does not ignore the Samaritan woman at the well’s sins, he faces it head on, and acknowledges the grace that has forgiven that sin, but then the command, “Now go and sin no more”) So here’s my question: in what ways did we used to be thieves? (Literally, motivations were selfish, we used to use people and their skills and exploit them for our own advance, etc.)
- Paul offers the right and honorable alternative: labor. Here is what Matthew Henry says on this matter: It is a caution against all manner of wrong-doing, by force or fraud. “Let those of you who, in the time of your gentilism, have been guilty of this enormity, be no longer guilty of it.” But we must not only take heed of the sin, but conscientiously abound in the opposite duty: not only not steal, but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing that is good. Idleness makes thieves.
- We simply cannot overlook the larger teaching and transition that takes place when we pledge our lives to Jesus. We go from thieves, those who, out of selfishness and laziness, injure others by taking from them what is not ours, to people who work honorably, out of selflessness, so that we can give away, bless, and serve others who have needs they can’t meet on their own. The first of these options destroys a society and community, the latter options not only builds a health society, but also honors and glorifies the name of Jesus, often giving opportunity to share the Gospel, which is the ultimate charity.
- So what happens when Christians steal? What happens when Christian don’t work?
- And now, maybe the toughest question I’ll ask today: Without getting political, keeping this question a matter of the heart, why are businesses having so much trouble filling positions right now?
- Why is work so good?
- It keeps us from idleness
- It keeps us focused on others and not ourselves (IF our motivations for work are Biblical)
- It honors and glorifies God.
- It builds healthy societies and communities.
Other Thoughts?
pray/Q&A