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Bible texts: Work www.ephilipdavis.com
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God blessed them and said to them, "Be fruitful and increase in numbers; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air and over every living creature that lives on the ground." (Gen 1:28). The Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it. (Gen 2:15). To Adam he said, "Because you listened to your wife and ate from the tree about which I commanded you, 'You must not eat of it,' Cursed is the ground because of you; through painful toil you will eat of it all the days of your life." (Gen. 3:17). "Six days to do your work, but on the seventh day do not work, so that your ox and your donkey may rest and the slave born in your household and the alien as well may be refreshed." (Exodus 23:12) Then man goes out to his work, to his labour until evening. (Psalm 104:23). Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider its ways and be wise! (Proverbs 6:6). When they came to the other side of the lake, they asked him, "Rabbi, when did you get here?", Jesus answered, "I tell you the truth, you are looking for me, not because you saw miraculous signs, but because you ate the loaves and had your fill. Do not work for food that spoils but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. On him God the Father has placed his seal of approval"....."The work of God is this, to believe in the one he has sent". (John 6:25-39) We work hard with our own hands. When we are cursed, we bless; when we are persecuted, we endure it. (1 Cor. 4:12). Or is it only I and Barnabas who must work for a living? (1 Cor. 9:6). Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business and to work with your hands, just as we told you, so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody. (1 Thess. 4:11). 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 you received from us. For you yourselves know how you ought to follow our example. We were not idle when we were with you, nor did we eat anyone's food without paying for it. On the contrary we worked night and day, labouring and toiling, so that we would not be burden to any of you. We did this, not because we did not have the right to such help, but in order to make ourselves a model for you to follow. For even when we were with you, we gave you this rule, "If a man will not work, he shall not eat." We hear that some among you are idle. They are not busy, they are busybodies. Such people we command and urge in the Lord Jesus Christ to settle down and earn the bread they eat. And as for you, brothers, never tire of doing what is right. 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. Yet do not regard him as an enemy, but warn him as a brother" (2 Thess. 3:6-15). He who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing
something useful with his own hands, that he may have something to share with those in
need. (Eph. 4:28). |