Redeeming Wealth (Part 3)

“Let the thief no longer steal, but rather let him labor, doing honest work with his own hands, so that he may have something to share with anyone in need.” (Ephesians 4:28, ESV)

Introduction

This week I’ve written about redeeming God’s gift of wealth. So far I’ve written about contentment and generosity. In today’s post, I want to talk about the importance of hard work and how it related to the redemption of wealth. 

Contentment and Laziness

When speaking about the importance of contentment, there is always a danger that people will take your words and use them to justify laziness. I have spoken to numerous people over the years who have been lazy but justified their laziness with “contentment.” They were content with what they had and what they were doing. Yet, they didn’t have much and were doing very little. 

The Folly of Laziness

Scripture has nothing good to say about laziness. The book of Proverbs has sharp words on this topic: “How long will you lie there, O sluggard? When will you arise from your sleep? A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest, and poverty will come upon you like a robber, and want like an armed man.” (Proverbs 6:9–11, ESV). Or: “Whoever is slack in his work is a brother to him who destroys.” (Proverbs 18:9, ESV).

Each of these Proverbs points out that laziness isn’t neutral. Laziness affects things negatively. It causes poverty to come upon you like a robber. It destroys things. 

Paul’s Example

In contrast to laziness, we see Paul’s example: “For you yourselves know how you ought to imitate us, because we were not idle when we were with you, nor did we eat anyone’s bread without paying for it, but with toil and labor we worked night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you.” (2 Thessalonians 3:7–8, ESV). Also, in Acts he says, “In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’” (Acts 20:35, ESV). Paul was a hard worker. 

Productive Work as Generosity

Paul was a hard worker so that he would not be a burden on anyone else. Not only that, but he was a hard worker so that he could provide for the needs of others. Underneath both statements is Jesus’ principle that is is better to give than to receive.  

It’s important for us to see our work as generosity. When we work, we are giving something to someone. It’s not about us. Our work isn’t primarily about the wages we receive, but the gift we are giving through our services. It’s more blessed to give than receive. So work hard at giving. 

Work and Wealth

Once we understand our work as something we give to other people, we understand our work as wealth in itself. When we work, we are creating wealth that can bless other people. The point of work is not to provide for our own needs, but to provide for the needs of others. It is more blessed to give than to receive. 

If we are going to redeem wealth, that must also connect with redeeming work. We must work hard, seeking to please the Lord, so that we can provide for the needs of others through our services or finances. Work hard at giving.