Pull Your Own Weight
Pull your own weight in life. That means work hard and provide for yourself. Everyone has that co-worker or family member who doesn’t pull their own weight. They sap off of everyone else or play dumb when they don’t get their work done. The early church was rife with people like that too. They weren’t working, and that idleness was disrupting the normal life of the church. Paul is crystal clear that we need to pull our own weight.
2 Thessalonians 3:11-13
We hear that some among you are idle and disruptive. 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 food they eat. 13 And as for you, brothers and sisters, never tire of doing what is good.
You Don’t Work, You Don’t Eat
If you do not eat, you will go hungry, or at least that is how Paul sees it. We can’t be a busybody in everyone else’s business and not pull our own weight. Once we get to adult age, it is our responsibility to provide for ourselves. What does this have to do with a fresh start? First, coming to Jesus doesn’t eliminate our worldly duties. Second, coming to Jesus doesn’t mean that we get a free ride through life. In fact, Jesus expects that we work in such a way that it honors him. Our bosses shouldn’t complain about hiring Christians, they should be coming to you asking if you have any more friends like you.
We Are Created to Work
God says several times in the Bible that he will never leave you nor forsake you, but he has also equipped you with abilities to make a living for yourself. Many people get off track with God because they focus on everything besides what they are supposed to be doing. We are created to work. Sin made that work a painful effort, but we are still required to pull our own weight.
Let Your Work Be A Witness
We can walk our daily walk with Christ and still go about our normal daily activities. Do what you do to the glory of the Lord. Let your work speak for itself and keep your eyes focused on him. If your boss is unbearable ask Jesus for the grace to make it through each day. Work in such a way that your employer is afraid to lose you. You will also find that when we are excellent workers it increases our witness.