05/10/07

Do not retire from life

We hear that some among you are idle. They are not busy; they are busybodies. 2 Thessalonians 3:11


Have you gone to government offices or even private offices and seen people working with no work! They come to the office only to look forward to the tea breaks, lunch breaks and time to go back. In between those breaks they keep chatting about anything and everything. Or people in office reading newspapers for long hours.

People working half heartedly and calling themselves Christians do not project Jesus Christ. As man, Jesus did His duties whole heartedly. He help the earthly family till He was 33years old and when His Heavenly father called Him to full time Job, He did it with His whole heart. If He had not done His job with His whole heart could we have been saved?

Even in you job as a typist, clerk, peon, manager, technician etc.. you can save souls for Christ. For, people are watching you to see what a Christian looks like.

If you do not do you job well and idle around you may not save another soul but chances are you may lose your own soul. That is what Paul warned in his letters to the Thessalonians and to Timothy.

The idler gives an impression of someone with nothing to do: no purpose in life, no plan, no effort, no expectations and no hope.

Darkness means absence of light, death on earth means absence of life in the body (for our soul still lives). Do not become a living dead, please don't retire - I mean retire from life. Quit your job if you wish, draw all your money, move to the mountains - I'm not suggesting these are bad. But be a person of purpose, of hope, even in leisure. Be always learning, observing, interacting, achieving, participating, and planning. It's the better way. You will live longer and happier; and you won't provide some else with your image of idleness, but an image of a good Christian


[ Prayer for the Day ]

Father, show us how to be about the business of living. Fill each moment of our lives with joy and expectation. Help us apply ourselves daily to the work of your will on this earth. Amen.


[ Reference Scriptures ]

2 Thessalonians 3:11,12
⁶ In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, we command you, brothers, to keep away from every brother who is idle and does not live according to the teaching (tradition) you received from us. ⁷ For you yourselves know how you ought to follow our example. We were not idle when we were with you, ⁸ nor did we eat anyone's food without paying for it. On the contrary, we worked night and day, laboring and toiling so that we would not be a burden to any of you. ⁹ We did this, not because we do not have the right to such help, but in order to make ourselves a model for you to follow. ¹⁰ For even when we were with you, we gave you this rule: "If a man will not work, he shall not eat."
¹¹ We hear that some among you are idle. They are not busy; they are busybodies. ¹² Such people we command and urge in the Lord Jesus Christ to settle down and earn the bread they eat. ¹³ And as for you, brothers, never tire of doing what is right.
¹⁴ If anyone does not obey our instruction in this letter, take special note of him. Do not associate with him, in order that he may feel ashamed. ¹⁵ Yet do not regard him as an enemy, but warn him as a brother.

1 Timothy 5:13,15
¹³ Besides, they get into the habit of being idle and going about from house to house. And not only do they become idlers, but also gossips and busybodies, saying things they ought not to.
¹⁵ Some have in fact already turned away to follow Satan.

The Word of God was given free to us, therefore we should also share it freely with others. (All rights are with God)