Deeper Reflection
PAUL GIVES THE THESSALONIANS WHO REFUSED TO WORK his apostolic command: “If anyone is not willing to work, let him not eat” (v.10). There is a relationship between working and eating. God said to the first humans that He created, “Behold, I have given you every plant… every tree yielding fruit; it shall be food for you” (Gen 1:29). But God’s way in His provision is, humans must “cultivate the ground” for the plants and trees to grow to become food for them (Gen 2:5, 15). Theologically, work is to be also seen as a practical necessity, besides viewing work as answering God’s call. We work because we need to eat.When I was doing my national service (1976-78), I thought about what I would do after completing it. I thought of becoming a teacher or a nurse. My highest education is secondary four. At that time, with that educational qualification I could apply to be a teacher or a nurse. I first applied to be teacher. I was unsuccessful. I still had one more option, I thought. But I did not get into nursing as well. So now, having a profession as my career was no longer an option for me. But I needed to work – out of practical necessity. So, I applied for any job that I could. I ended up working in a factory as a blue-collar worker for nine years until the time I answered God’s call to full-time ministry. In serving God full-time, I did become a teacher and a nurse. I teach the Word of God and nurse the souls of people.