Why does God command everyone to work to continue to live?
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The gist of your question is unclear, but I can give a general response. We live in a world that has a God-ordained fundamental physical law at work: the second law of thermodynamics, which ensures that, things break down. We also live in a world that is tainted by sin, where we break down. Generally, few of us live where the land will provide everything we need to survive, and even then, we must work to harvest, process, and store what it does provide. We work to obtain the things we need: food, clothing, shelter, thermal regulation, and the other things that make life enjoyable. We work to provide not just for ourselves but also for others who cannot, for those whose role in God's economy doesn't provide them an income from the world, and for those who work on our behalf but don't directly produce anything otherwise. God designed us to live in harmony with His creation, which requires tending.
Paul's admonishment is to work individually, but also to avoid (withdraw from) freeloaders. People who are capable of working but refuse to do so are best motivated by hunger.
The gist of your question is unclear, but I can give a general response. We live in a world that has a God-ordained fundamental physical law at work: the second law of thermodynamics, which ensures that, things break down. We also live in a world that is tainted by sin, where we break down. Generally, few of us live where the land will provide everything we need to survive, and even then, we must work to harvest, process, and store what it does provide. We work to obtain the things we need: food, clothing, shelter, thermal regulation, and the other things that make life enjoyable. We work to provide not just for ourselves but also for others who cannot, for those whose role in God's economy doesn't provide them an income from the world, and for those who work on our behalf but don't directly produce anything otherwise. God designed us to live in harmony with His creation, which requires tending.
Paul's admonishment is to work individually, but also to avoid (withdraw from) freeloaders. People who are capable of working but refuse to do so are best motivated by hunger.
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Work is a normal part of life and has been since Adam was created. For the Christian, it is a means of taking money from the world system and into God's kingdom. If we work diligently, we are a witness to Christ. We may not be able to speak the gospel in our jobs, but we can sure be an example to unbelievers.
Some Christians believed that the return of Jesus was imminent so they could kick back and do nothing until then. Some years ago, there was a self proclaimed preacher going from church to church, asking for financial support. He told one preacher I knew that he was "living by faith". "Sure, said my acquaintance, "My faith!"
We should not be a burden on other people. The most influential preacher in my life was an electrical contractor who worked full time and led our fellowship in his spare time. Eventually, age caught up with him and he retired. God blessed that man abundantly. One of the fellowship literally gave him a house.
Some Christians believed that the return of Jesus was imminent so they could kick back and do nothing until then. Some years ago, there was a self proclaimed preacher going from church to church, asking for financial support. He told one preacher I knew that he was "living by faith". "Sure, said my acquaintance, "My faith!"
We should not be a burden on other people. The most influential preacher in my life was an electrical contractor who worked full time and led our fellowship in his spare time. Eventually, age caught up with him and he retired. God blessed that man abundantly. One of the fellowship literally gave him a house.
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2 Thessalonians 3:6-10
6 And we charge you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you withdraw yourselves from every brother walking disorderly, and not according to the tradition which they have received of us. 7 For yourselves know how you ought to imitate us: for we were not disorderly among you; 8 Neither did we eat any man's bread for nothing, but in labour and in toil we worked night and day, lest we should be chargeable to any of you. 9 Not as if we had not power: but that we might give ourselves a pattern unto you, to imitate us. 10 F
It is extremely important to realize in this quote the reference is to the brethren onl, not to the poor or unbelievers for the congregation is not over them.
Also, at the time of this teaching, the congregations were akin to small communities, and not scattered as believers are today.
6 And we charge you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you withdraw yourselves from every brother walking disorderly, and not according to the tradition which they have received of us. 7 For yourselves know how you ought to imitate us: for we were not disorderly among you; 8 Neither did we eat any man's bread for nothing, but in labour and in toil we worked night and day, lest we should be chargeable to any of you. 9 Not as if we had not power: but that we might give ourselves a pattern unto you, to imitate us. 10 F
It is extremely important to realize in this quote the reference is to the brethren onl, not to the poor or unbelievers for the congregation is not over them.
Also, at the time of this teaching, the congregations were akin to small communities, and not scattered as believers are today.
When God created Adam, He gave him stewardship over the Garden of Eden. Which meant that work was to be a part of human existence. Before the Fall it would have been a pleasure for Adam to take care of the garden/orchard. After the Fall, hard labor became the lot of mankind as Adam learned later.
But men are created to work in order to be productive. The Ten Commandments say that six days shalt thou LABOR. The Bible says that the one who will not work should not eat. So God designed work to be something that not only occupies the individual, but generates an income, while doing something productive (which benefits others).
In fact it is work that keep people mentally and physically healthy, provided it is balanced with rest and recreation. When one is working on what he enjoys, then work is not drudgery. When one is engaged in creative work, it is even more enjoyable. However, too many men do not carefully plan how they will spend their retirement years. Sitting back and doing nothing is extremely detrimental, and as a result many men die almost immediately after retirement. So retirement should actually mean another form of working at something.
But men are created to work in order to be productive. The Ten Commandments say that six days shalt thou LABOR. The Bible says that the one who will not work should not eat. So God designed work to be something that not only occupies the individual, but generates an income, while doing something productive (which benefits others).
In fact it is work that keep people mentally and physically healthy, provided it is balanced with rest and recreation. When one is working on what he enjoys, then work is not drudgery. When one is engaged in creative work, it is even more enjoyable. However, too many men do not carefully plan how they will spend their retirement years. Sitting back and doing nothing is extremely detrimental, and as a result many men die almost immediately after retirement. So retirement should actually mean another form of working at something.
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Scripture tells us:
Man shall live by the sweat of his brow:
Hard work well done imparts a joy of accomplishment, which in turn leads to a sense of well-being. In the beginning the Lord established a seven-day week, in which we were given six days to work with a day to rest up. As mentioned before, retirement is for those who are ready to die, as seen all too often in those who have gone before us. Our attitude often leads the lost to see the Lord in us as we joy in our labor.
Faith without works is dead:
Although we're unable to work for faith, our faith is completed by our works, which in turn reveals our faith to those around us. Faith is the conduit of our relationship with the Lord, making us to be pleasing to him. It is authored by Jesus when we turn to him by believing his word with a penitent heart when called. Faith is that form of believing that is based upon God's word and always produces works meet to repentance in those who have it.
Man shall live by the sweat of his brow:
Hard work well done imparts a joy of accomplishment, which in turn leads to a sense of well-being. In the beginning the Lord established a seven-day week, in which we were given six days to work with a day to rest up. As mentioned before, retirement is for those who are ready to die, as seen all too often in those who have gone before us. Our attitude often leads the lost to see the Lord in us as we joy in our labor.
Faith without works is dead:
Although we're unable to work for faith, our faith is completed by our works, which in turn reveals our faith to those around us. Faith is the conduit of our relationship with the Lord, making us to be pleasing to him. It is authored by Jesus when we turn to him by believing his word with a penitent heart when called. Faith is that form of believing that is based upon God's word and always produces works meet to repentance in those who have it.
2 Thessalonians 3:6-10
6 And we charge you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you withdraw yourselves from every brother walking disorderly, and not according to the tradition which they have received of us. 7 For yourselves know how you ought to imitate us: for we were not disorderly among you; 8 Neither did we eat any man's bread for nothing, but in labour and in toil we worked night and day, lest we should be chargeable to any of you. 9 Not as if we had not power: but that we might give ourselves a pattern unto you, to imitate us. 10 For also when we were with you, this we declared to you: that, if any man will not work, neither let him eat.
I think it means to work so that you are not a burden upon other people to take care of your needs.
For if you do not work then you are not worthy to eat for if you are capable of supplying your needs why are you being lazy, and putting the burden on someone else to supply your needs.
Then you would be what they call a freeloader, and we know how we feel about them as they lazy around and do not want to work when they have the capability to do so and then we have to feed and clothe them putting a burden on us.
It is like should we clean your house, and keep you clean if you can do it yourself for why would you bother other people concerning that.
Why would you bother people to feed and clothe you if you can do it yourself.
6 And we charge you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you withdraw yourselves from every brother walking disorderly, and not according to the tradition which they have received of us. 7 For yourselves know how you ought to imitate us: for we were not disorderly among you; 8 Neither did we eat any man's bread for nothing, but in labour and in toil we worked night and day, lest we should be chargeable to any of you. 9 Not as if we had not power: but that we might give ourselves a pattern unto you, to imitate us. 10 For also when we were with you, this we declared to you: that, if any man will not work, neither let him eat.
I think it means to work so that you are not a burden upon other people to take care of your needs.
For if you do not work then you are not worthy to eat for if you are capable of supplying your needs why are you being lazy, and putting the burden on someone else to supply your needs.
Then you would be what they call a freeloader, and we know how we feel about them as they lazy around and do not want to work when they have the capability to do so and then we have to feed and clothe them putting a burden on us.
It is like should we clean your house, and keep you clean if you can do it yourself for why would you bother other people concerning that.
Why would you bother people to feed and clothe you if you can do it yourself.
Yes, we are commanded to work. Even in the garden of Eden and even in heaven. A bit of a surprise that might annoy the couch potatoes. 🥔 🤣
God does not view work or wealth as bad. It's not neutral either. Nope, God literally says he created gold. "And the gold of the land is good. " gold is the universal symbol of wealth.
There are biblical principles of wealth. This is why jews (being such a small population) has such a great amount of wealth. But also Christians have a lot of wealth and the reason the united states was so successful compared to many other countries.
The rules of biblical success:
1. Labor (lowest level)
2. Management
3. Communication
4. Create (highest level)
Most of these make people cringe bc we all have had the supervisors who let the power go to their head and no one likes sales people or ceos sitting in a cubicle. But anyway that's not the way it was designed, but the biblical principles of success works for anyone. It's not necessarily based on morals either, but it can be.
The goal is to be creative, and to give value to others. The more value you give to others, the more earning potential. Being creative and helping others is the meaning of life so super important to understand bc you'll never feel fulfilled without it. We know plenty of characteristics of God but the first thing he tells us in the old testament is he's creative. "In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth." The first thing he says in the new testament is "In the beginning was the word. And the word was with God. And the word was God." Communication is the 2nd highest biblical success secret.
He also tells us "we were made in the image of God" first thing. Which means we need these to feel fulfilled.
There are a lot of passages in the Bible about wealth and wealthy people. We were taught Jesus was poor, but that contradicts a lot of the Bible both in the old and new testament. But most Christians only pay attention to the new testament so don't understand the parables.
Why are we called to work? Because it builds wealth and allows us to feel fulfilled. We are not called to be poor (that is a Catholic brainwashing trait adopted by modern protestants). It's man made. Many verses assume you have money, and therefore can give to the poor. Although there's an example of poor people giving to the poor as well. That is more the exception than the rule.