Theme: DIGNITY OF LABOUR
Text: “For yourselves know how ye ought to follow us: for we behaved not ourselves disorderly among you; Neither did we eat any man’s bread for nought; but wrought with labour and travail night and day, that we might not be chargeable to any of you” – 2 Thessalonians 3:7,8.
Comment: Today’s text is an epistle by St. Paul written in a language aimed at correcting erring ones among the Thessalonian Christians. In verses 7-10, Paul refers to his own example of working to provide for his own needs when he was with them. His message to them was on orderly behaviour, which involves hard work to fend for oneself in a godly manner and, the dignity of not being dependent on others for one’s livelihood to avoid becoming a burden to the Church of God.
Everyone should learn to work and keep himself or herself busy to earn a living. If there is no “white collar” job, the unemployed should do other honourable works such as farming, carpentry, car-washing, dress-making, automobile mechanic, etc. Those who are privileged to be employed in any kind of job are also admonished to take their jobs seriously, to do things in an orderly manner so as to be retained in their places of work and to gain recognition and advancement by the grace of God.
As we do our own businesses and work with our hands, we earn our living with dignity. We gain self-esteem and respect from others. Scriptures say: “And that ye study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands … and that ye may have lack of nothing”. 1 Thessalonians 4:11,12.