Matthew 25:14-30
Although a talent in Jesus’ time was also a unit of money, it’s easy to look at the parable of the talents and see parallels between the master who trusted his servants with money and our Master who entrusts us with unique gifts and abilities. So one lesson from this parable is to use your abilities for God’s glory, and I think that’s a great applications.
But there’s another way of thinking about it. Consider the servants who were given five and two talents. The Bible doesn’t tell us for certain, but I would guess that each was a very hard worker. For the master to be as pleased as he was, they had to have done something worthy of high praise. “Well done, good and faithful servant.” I can’t see the master being that pleased with mediocre performance. Consider what was said to the worker who just sat on his hands and did little more than dig a hole in the ground: “you wicked and lazy servant.”
God cares how well you do your job. That doesn’t mean you have to be the top performer—the man who was given fewer talents was rewarded for performance based on what he had, not based on what the five-talent servant had. But God wants you to do well with what you have. I’ve mentioned this before, but a teacher of mine once said that “to be a good, Christian artist, you first have to be a good artist.” The same thing can be said of any vocation. For me to be a good, Christian teacher, I first have to be a good teacher.
What can you do to sharpen your skills in your job? It doesn’t mean that you have to be the world’s best at whatever you do, but you do need to use the abilities you have. Think about your job performance over the last week. Where did you waste time? Where could you have put in just a little more time and effort to make something better? God wants your very best, and that doesn’t just apply to Sundays.
Showing posts with label Idleness/Laziness. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Idleness/Laziness. Show all posts
Friday, March 25, 2011
Monday, September 6, 2010
Labor Day
At least for the American readers of this blog, today is Labor Day, the day when we have a holiday to remember "the contributions workers have made to the strength, prosperity, and well-being of our country" according to the US Department of Labor. As I was thinking about today, I thought it would be a good time to reconsider the importance of working. The Bible has strict warnings against idleness and laziness. This doesn't apply to those who cannot work because of a disability or who have lost a job and haven't been able to get a new one. But if you can work, the Bible is pretty explicit that you should work.
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
Why Work?
I want to pause periodically as I go through scripture to reflect on themes that are emerging from passages related to work. Today is one of those pauses.
One of the things that really stands out as I look at some of the recent posts from 1 and 2 Thessalonians and a few other places is how important it is to work and not be idle. Bible commentaries tell us that one of the major struggles that the Thessalonians faced was the temptation to do nothing as they waited for Christ's return. If Jesus was coming back, why should we spend times working, especially for those who don't like their jobs. Paul came down pretty hard on them, "if you don't work, you don't eat." In other places, Paul talks about the point of working as providing for one's family while not being a burden on others.
Everyone has days when they'd rather not be at work. Days when you would rather not deal with your boss. Days when you would rather spend that time with family. Days when you may not want to even get out of bed. Paul is saying that, in the fallen world in which we live, work is necessary, whether we want to do so or not. Remember, God told Adam that he would survive on the basis of working, which was part of Adam's curse. It's not that work itself is the curse--God wanted Adam and Eve to work the Garden even before they sinned. But perhaps the "daily grind" is one way to describe work because of God's curse on Adam. I love my job. I can't believe I get paid to do things I really like. But there are still those days that I'd much rather be doing something else. Sometimes that comes from selfishness. Perhaps you've seen the bumper sticker, "I'd rather be fishing," or similar ones. Other times, we may not want to go to work for very legitimate reasons like spending time with family or volunteering to help the needy. Those are noble ways to spend time, and scripture certainly emphasizes the importance of both. But those activities should not be excuses for not working.
Having emphasized the importance of spending time working, there's another extreme--spending too much time working. Many jobs push the envelope of a 40-hour work week, and our technology today blurs the line between work time and family time even more. Think about the last time you checked your work email while spending time with at home with family. One "answer" might be the quiet life, that Paul encourages in 1 Thessalonians 4:11-12. Paul argues that working and living a quiet life are not mutually exclusive goals. Another approach might be protecting the idea of a Sabbath rest, a time where you stop working. The Bible describes work as important, but certainly Paul knew when it was time to stop making tents and spend time with people around him, developing relationships with people (Timothy, for example) and planting seeds about Jesus. If you've been overworking, perhaps you need to adjust your priorities with regard to your time.
So working too little and working too much are both extremes to be avoided. The goal is a search for balance. If you think about Paul's "job" as a tentmaker, it wasn't really what defined him. He did it to pay the bills, so to speak. To provide for himself and not be a burden on others. But his workplace ambition may have been tempered by his understanding of his place in the world and what was really important. If you are tempted by idleness, are you a burden on others? How can you provide for yourself? (But again, I think these passages refer to those who could work but weren't doing so, not those who were unable to work.) Or, if you are struggling with being a workaholic, consider how God would want you to define yourself.
One of the things that really stands out as I look at some of the recent posts from 1 and 2 Thessalonians and a few other places is how important it is to work and not be idle. Bible commentaries tell us that one of the major struggles that the Thessalonians faced was the temptation to do nothing as they waited for Christ's return. If Jesus was coming back, why should we spend times working, especially for those who don't like their jobs. Paul came down pretty hard on them, "if you don't work, you don't eat." In other places, Paul talks about the point of working as providing for one's family while not being a burden on others.
Everyone has days when they'd rather not be at work. Days when you would rather not deal with your boss. Days when you would rather spend that time with family. Days when you may not want to even get out of bed. Paul is saying that, in the fallen world in which we live, work is necessary, whether we want to do so or not. Remember, God told Adam that he would survive on the basis of working, which was part of Adam's curse. It's not that work itself is the curse--God wanted Adam and Eve to work the Garden even before they sinned. But perhaps the "daily grind" is one way to describe work because of God's curse on Adam. I love my job. I can't believe I get paid to do things I really like. But there are still those days that I'd much rather be doing something else. Sometimes that comes from selfishness. Perhaps you've seen the bumper sticker, "I'd rather be fishing," or similar ones. Other times, we may not want to go to work for very legitimate reasons like spending time with family or volunteering to help the needy. Those are noble ways to spend time, and scripture certainly emphasizes the importance of both. But those activities should not be excuses for not working.
Having emphasized the importance of spending time working, there's another extreme--spending too much time working. Many jobs push the envelope of a 40-hour work week, and our technology today blurs the line between work time and family time even more. Think about the last time you checked your work email while spending time with at home with family. One "answer" might be the quiet life, that Paul encourages in 1 Thessalonians 4:11-12. Paul argues that working and living a quiet life are not mutually exclusive goals. Another approach might be protecting the idea of a Sabbath rest, a time where you stop working. The Bible describes work as important, but certainly Paul knew when it was time to stop making tents and spend time with people around him, developing relationships with people (Timothy, for example) and planting seeds about Jesus. If you've been overworking, perhaps you need to adjust your priorities with regard to your time.
So working too little and working too much are both extremes to be avoided. The goal is a search for balance. If you think about Paul's "job" as a tentmaker, it wasn't really what defined him. He did it to pay the bills, so to speak. To provide for himself and not be a burden on others. But his workplace ambition may have been tempered by his understanding of his place in the world and what was really important. If you are tempted by idleness, are you a burden on others? How can you provide for yourself? (But again, I think these passages refer to those who could work but weren't doing so, not those who were unable to work.) Or, if you are struggling with being a workaholic, consider how God would want you to define yourself.
Thursday, July 22, 2010
Work as a Means to Provide for Your Family
1 Timothy 5:8
If nothing else, your work is a means to provide food, clothing, and shelter for your family. Paul compares someone who neglects to provide for family to an unbeliever. Pretty strong words. Again, I don't think this admonition is directed at those who have been laid off and are looking for work or at those who cannot work because of illness or injury. I believe Paul's words are for those who can work but choose not to do so.
There is further warning in verse 13. Though not specifically about work, Paul says that idleness leads to gossip and being a "busybody." Get to work--don't make others suffer because you choose to sit at home.
If nothing else, your work is a means to provide food, clothing, and shelter for your family. Paul compares someone who neglects to provide for family to an unbeliever. Pretty strong words. Again, I don't think this admonition is directed at those who have been laid off and are looking for work or at those who cannot work because of illness or injury. I believe Paul's words are for those who can work but choose not to do so.
There is further warning in verse 13. Though not specifically about work, Paul says that idleness leads to gossip and being a "busybody." Get to work--don't make others suffer because you choose to sit at home.
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
Work or Eat
2 Thessalonians 3:6-12
One of the Thessalonians' struggles was the temptation to stop work and do nothing while waiting for Jesus to come back. Paul warns against this, instructing them to stay away from idleness. The high point of the passage is verse 10: "If someone will not work, that person shall not eat." The application seems clear: work.
One reason to work is so that you are not a burden to others. Paul echoes his first letter to the Thessalonians almost verbatim as he describes his example of working in verse 8 "so that we would not be a burden to you." Of course, Paul is not talking about those who are unable to work, either because of lack of ability or lack of jobs available. Paul seems to refer to those who choose not to work, the "busybodies" in verse 11. Quite simply, if you are able, you should be trying to work.
One of the Thessalonians' struggles was the temptation to stop work and do nothing while waiting for Jesus to come back. Paul warns against this, instructing them to stay away from idleness. The high point of the passage is verse 10: "If someone will not work, that person shall not eat." The application seems clear: work.
One reason to work is so that you are not a burden to others. Paul echoes his first letter to the Thessalonians almost verbatim as he describes his example of working in verse 8 "so that we would not be a burden to you." Of course, Paul is not talking about those who are unable to work, either because of lack of ability or lack of jobs available. Paul seems to refer to those who choose not to work, the "busybodies" in verse 11. Quite simply, if you are able, you should be trying to work.
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
Ambition
1 Thessalonians 4:11-12
In my own career, I have to admit to the temptation to want the headline accomplishments, the temptation to want everyone in my field to know my name, to respect me, to look up to me. I think it's very natural to want to be known as the best at what we do. And along with that, I think there may be a natural tendency to admire those who are in the limelight, particularly those with similar vocations to our own. But listen to what Paul says about ambition: “Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business, and to work with your hands…so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody.” How many times have you made it your ambition to lead a quiet life, a life out of the spotlight? How many times have you striven to mind your own business? Does this praise manual labor above white collar jobs where you're less likely to "work with your hands?" I don't have an answer for that last question, particularly in our age when more and more jobs are not working with your hands. But I think the point may be in the "so" at the end. "So that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody." Lead a quiet life and mind your own business so that nonchristians will respect you. Take care of your own job and work with your hands so that you won't be a burden on anyone. Again, I think this is stressing the importance of work above idleness. I think the take away is to work in such a way that others respect you. Not the showy respect that comes with fame, but the respect that comes when coworkers see you doing what you're supposed to be doing, day in and day out.
In my own career, I have to admit to the temptation to want the headline accomplishments, the temptation to want everyone in my field to know my name, to respect me, to look up to me. I think it's very natural to want to be known as the best at what we do. And along with that, I think there may be a natural tendency to admire those who are in the limelight, particularly those with similar vocations to our own. But listen to what Paul says about ambition: “Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business, and to work with your hands…so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody.” How many times have you made it your ambition to lead a quiet life, a life out of the spotlight? How many times have you striven to mind your own business? Does this praise manual labor above white collar jobs where you're less likely to "work with your hands?" I don't have an answer for that last question, particularly in our age when more and more jobs are not working with your hands. But I think the point may be in the "so" at the end. "So that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody." Lead a quiet life and mind your own business so that nonchristians will respect you. Take care of your own job and work with your hands so that you won't be a burden on anyone. Again, I think this is stressing the importance of work above idleness. I think the take away is to work in such a way that others respect you. Not the showy respect that comes with fame, but the respect that comes when coworkers see you doing what you're supposed to be doing, day in and day out.
Warn Those who are Idle
1 Thessalonians 5:14
As a follow-up to that last post about the importance of work, Paul instructs the Thessalonians to “warn those who are idle.” Again, this seemed to be a common problem for them, and Paul is stressing the importance of work. I don' t think that this is a critique of legitimate vacation time, of time to rest from work. I think it refers who are always on vacation. Perhaps an interesting question would be to consider those who have retired from a career. What kind of work can you be doing? When my dad retired, he said he never knew there were so many jobs to do and not get paid for. But certainly there are those who retire and consider themselves done with work and service for others. This might be a call to action for those people. Don't be idle. Even if you are no longer pursuing a career, the Bible never mentions (in my knowledge) a time when you are excused from work in general, particularly in the sense of service for other people.
As a follow-up to that last post about the importance of work, Paul instructs the Thessalonians to “warn those who are idle.” Again, this seemed to be a common problem for them, and Paul is stressing the importance of work. I don' t think that this is a critique of legitimate vacation time, of time to rest from work. I think it refers who are always on vacation. Perhaps an interesting question would be to consider those who have retired from a career. What kind of work can you be doing? When my dad retired, he said he never knew there were so many jobs to do and not get paid for. But certainly there are those who retire and consider themselves done with work and service for others. This might be a call to action for those people. Don't be idle. Even if you are no longer pursuing a career, the Bible never mentions (in my knowledge) a time when you are excused from work in general, particularly in the sense of service for other people.
Not to be a Burden
1 Thessalonians 2:9
It seems one of the things that the Thessalonian church struggled with was working. They knew that Jesus' second coming would be soon, so they stopped working to be ready. Paul is not focusing specifically on work in 2:9 as much as he is describing how he approached his ministry there. Nevertheless, part of that approach was to set an example of working: “Surely you remember…our toil and hardship. We worked night and day in order not to be a burden to anyone while we preached the gospel.” Some people interpret this to mean that church leaders and ministers shouldn't be paid. Others consider this passage particularly relevant for church plants and missionary teams, that the evangelists with those efforts should have a job that supports their work, rather than depending on a church as a sole means of support. This is one of those passages that I'm still working on in terms of meaning and application. But one thing stands out: Paul and his team worked. They weren't afraid to roll up their sleeves and get their hands dirty (in this case making tents, Acts 18:3). So at least one application out of this passage might be the importance of work. That's not to say anything about those who want to be employed but cannot find work, about those who's work is around the home, or about those who are full-time students. I think the application is for those who do none of those. Work! Don't be a burden.
It seems one of the things that the Thessalonian church struggled with was working. They knew that Jesus' second coming would be soon, so they stopped working to be ready. Paul is not focusing specifically on work in 2:9 as much as he is describing how he approached his ministry there. Nevertheless, part of that approach was to set an example of working: “Surely you remember…our toil and hardship. We worked night and day in order not to be a burden to anyone while we preached the gospel.” Some people interpret this to mean that church leaders and ministers shouldn't be paid. Others consider this passage particularly relevant for church plants and missionary teams, that the evangelists with those efforts should have a job that supports their work, rather than depending on a church as a sole means of support. This is one of those passages that I'm still working on in terms of meaning and application. But one thing stands out: Paul and his team worked. They weren't afraid to roll up their sleeves and get their hands dirty (in this case making tents, Acts 18:3). So at least one application out of this passage might be the importance of work. That's not to say anything about those who want to be employed but cannot find work, about those who's work is around the home, or about those who are full-time students. I think the application is for those who do none of those. Work! Don't be a burden.
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