TO THE WORK!

Dearly Beloved,
TO THE WORK!
“For even when we were with you, we gave you this rule: ‘If a man will not work, he shall not eat’” (2 Thessalonians 3:10 NIV).
“He who works his land will have abundant food, but the one who chases fantasies will have his fill of poverty” (Proverbs 28:19 NIV).
I seldom base my messages on people’s reactions to my past messages. However, I am led to base this message on the reactions of some people to my message last week. These people who are undoubtedly anti-Christian and are ready to say anything anytime against Christian messages disagreed with me that one should patiently wait for God’s miracle. However, they ignored the fact that I included the word “faithful” in the act of waiting. To these people, I am encouraging laziness. Unfortunately, as these people pointed out in their antagonism, many pastors nowadays indeed encourage laziness on the part of their congregations due to the pastors’ undue emphasis on prosperity without work, instant miracles, breakthrough, and the likes. Such pastors and their followers have forgotten that God does not bless idleness. He will bless only those who are doing something. No wonder, all the people that He called and used in the Bible were busy and hardworking people.
Apostle Paul addressed the issue of working hard against idleness in his epistles to the Thessalonians (1 Thessalonians 4:11-12; 5:12-13; 2 Thessalonians 3:10). He frowned at idleness and encouraged his audience to be hardworking. That famous Christian hymn writer, Fanny J. Crosby (1820-1915), wrote, “To the work! To the work! We are servants of God, Let us follow the path that our Master has trod; With the balm of His counsel our strength to renew, Let us do with our might what our hands find to do. Toiling on, toiling on, toiling on; Let us hope, let us watch and labor till the Master comes.” The writer of the book of Proverbs gave many admonitions in opposition to idleness and in favor of diligent work (see Proverbs 6:6-11; 10:4, 26; 12:11, 24; 13:4; 15:19; 18:9; 19:15, 24; 20:4; 21:25; 24:30-34). Today’s Christians are expected to pay attention to such admonitions.
From the aforementioned Bible verses, it is glaring that Christianity does not promote laziness or anything relating to it. Therefore, anyone who thinks that God will bless him when he is lazy is deceiving himself. Yes, miracles still exist nowadays, but if you want God to bless you, be diligent in your work. If you are unemployed, the Lord will soon provide a befitting job for you. If you are under-employed, that is, not well paid, continue to be faithful.
To the work!
In His service,
Bayo Afolaranmi (Pastor).