Transformer - 11/29/2020
Working is for Everyone
From the beginning of time, God has expected human beings to work. After creating Adam and Eve, God put man in the Garden “of Eden to cultivate it and keep it.”
The wise king, Solomon, in many of his proverbs and especially in his great work on living life under the sun, Ecclesiastes, spoke of the virtues and vanity of working. He even said that one should enjoy the work they do with their hands because this is their reward (Ecclesiastes 5:18).
In his first letter to the Thessalonians (2:11, 12) concerning working Paul wrote, “Work with your hands, just as we commanded you; … and not be in any need.” In his second letter to the Thessalonians (3:10) he said, “If anyone will not work, neither let him eat.”
Paul gave this command because there were some Thessalonians who were “leading an undisciplined life, doing no work at all, but acting like busybodies.” Paul wanted these Christians to “work in quiet fashion and eat their own bread” (2 Thessalonians 3:11, 12).
Work is the assignment given by God to every human being. It is something for them to do while they are living. And might I add, it must be something lawful according to God’s standards.
But what happens when people are not working? Not those who are physically unable to work, but those who are either paid to stay at home or have so much money they can party all the time. Consider Paul’s statements to the Thessalonians.
In most cases, the unemployed are people who are living an “undisciplined life;” they are unruly. Their conduct is not in accordance with normal expectations.
A “busybody” is someone who is going around tending to the business of others. They are moving from “house to house” giving unsolicited advice on how one should live their daily life.
Regardless of the type of work one does, it always accomplishes several things. It occupies their mind and does not allow them time to think of evil, unlawful or mischievous things to do. A good day’s work always makes a person sleep better at night. A job done to the best of one’s abilities always leaves them with a sense of accomplishment.
When someone works, they possibly have money to give to those who are struggling financially (Ephesians 4:28). Everyone needs a job, something to do with their time while living on this earth.
God expects every human being to be productive during their life time. Every citizen should be expecting their fellow man to be working also. When a person is industrious at any line of work, then they are accomplishing an important part of living God’s way. – cgm
Thinking on the Word…
Life is in the Blood
God revealed to Moses that “the life of the flesh is in the blood” (Leviticus 17:11). For this reason, God used the blood of animals as a substitute for the blood of the Jews when they needed to make atonement for their sins. God said, “It is the blood by reason of the life that makes atonement” (ibid).
To illustrate the importance of “the life is in the blood” in our society, how often do you go to the doctor and they want to “take your blood”? Going into that room and having the nurse wrap your arm with that elastic “rope” and then they say, “just a little stick,” and then the blood flows into the glass vile. After getting the results from the “lab” the doctor is able to give all kinds of statistics about you. Even some very horrible conditions are “discovered” from this small sample of blood drawn from a person’s veins. Or, consider all those “bloodmobile drives.” Blood is important to our lives.
When we think about the blood of Jesus being shed for the benefit of all mankind and therefore giving them “life” maybe it takes on a little more significance. Paul made several statements about us humans being given life because of the blood of Jesus. To the Romans he said, “having been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from the wrath of God” (5:9). The Hebrew writer says, “Jesus also, that He might sanctify the people through His own blood” (13:12). The apostle John said, “the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin” (1 John 1:7). This apostle also said, “He is the propitiation for our sins; … also for those of the whole world” (2:2).
God, because He made us, knew what was in the blood before mankind made the discovery. Our blood is very important to our existence here on earth. However, the blood of Jesus is more important to our existence in eternity with God. As we think about this important part of the anatomy of Jesus, may we be ever grateful that He willing gave His blood for our benefit. – cgm
Words of Wisdom
“The wicked desires the booty of evil men, but the root of the righteous yields fruit.” - Proverbs 12:12
The wicked want something from other people while the righteous produce things. The wicked want to “pick” the fruit from the tree without working for it. The righteous are willing to do what it takes to “put” the fruit on the tree.
It is very interesting that the “wicked” desire the booty of “evil men.” They do not want what the righteous will be possessing.
When we consider the phrase, “the root of the righteous,” we are looking at a statement which speaks to the very core of the righteous person. The righteous want to produce fruit—to do good.
Just like the root of any plant that gathers from the ground what is necessary to produce the fruit, so do the righteous. They will be doing what meets the standards of God. They will be trying to help other people to live up to the standards of God.
When we look at our own lives, do we consider ourselves a “root?” Do we consider our main function in life is to produce the type of fruit God wants in our lives? Are we a “root” that would be cultivating righteousness?
When a tree has a good “root” system, it is very healthy. It has good soil around it with the proper amount of water to produce all the chemicals in the plant so that the plant will produce much fruit. Are we living with “good soil” around us? Are we seeking the “water” that Jesus spoke of to the woman at the well (John 4)? As a “root,” are we growing deeper every day in our faith and therefore producing more and more fruit?
If we work on our “root system” then our fruit will come naturally? Is that not true with every other “root?” Be a good “root”! - cgm