Based on 2 Thessalonians 3 (New King James Version)
“Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may run swiftly and be glorified, just as it is with you, and that we may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men; for not all have faith. But the Lord is faithful, who will establish you and guard you from the evil one. And we have confidence in the Lord concerning you, both that you do and will do the things we command you. Now may the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God and into the patience of Christ. But we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you withdraw from every brother who walks disorderly and not according to the tradition which he received from us. For you yourselves know how you ought to follow us, for we were not disorderly among you; nor did we eat anyone’s bread free of charge, but worked with labor and toil night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you, not because we do not have authority, but to make ourselves an example of how you should follow us. For even when we were with you, we commanded you this: If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat. For we hear that there are some who walk among you in a disorderly manner, not working at all, but are busybodies. Now those who are such we command and exhort through our Lord Jesus Christ that they work in quietness and eat their own bread. But as for you, brethren, do not grow weary in doing good. And if anyone does not obey our word in this epistle, note that person and do not keep company with him, that he may be ashamed. Yet do not count him as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother. Now may the Lord of peace Himself give you peace always in every way. The Lord be with you all. The salutation of Paul with my own hand, which is a sign in every epistle; so I write. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.”
There are two things in general that the Word is dealing with in this passage, and the two are related, and these are: work and sharing the Gospel. To start, work is something necessary. Each person should work as best as they can to provide for themselves. In the Primitive Church, as some call it, the brethren had all things in common, but to help each other, to provide for the needs of one another, but not to promote an environment for laziness and irresponsibility. That is the disorder that Paul is admonishing against, that believers should not take advantage of others and to do things that are not convenient. He is teaching them to be fair because it was not (nor is it) fair that some sacrifice their own possessions so that others that did not work can benefit. This also applies to those that take advantage of welfare programs and different types of assistance that governments give to help those that are more vulnerable. In summary, no one should take advantage of anyone, neither of wealthy people, nor of the government, supposing that the government has a lot of money that is provided by taxpayers (those of us that work). Unfortunately, there is much exploitation among supposed believers.
What else does the Lord counsel us through the Word with respect to work? He says this: “Let as many bondservants as are under the yoke count their own masters worthy of all honor, so that the name of God and His doctrine may not be blasphemed. And those who have believing masters, let them not despise them because they are brethren, but rather serve them because those who are benefited are believers and beloved. Teach and exhort these things. If anyone teaches otherwise and does not consent to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which accords with godliness, he is proud, knowing nothing, but is obsessed with disputes and arguments over words, from which come envy, strife, reviling, evil suspicions, useless wranglings of men of corrupt minds and destitute of the truth, who suppose that godliness is a means of gain. From such withdraw yourself. Now godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content. But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and harmful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. But you, O man of God, flee these things and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, gentleness.” 1 Timothy 6:1-11. So then, we may not have slavery now the way it was back then, but this does apply in the same way to the relationship between employers and employees. We should respect those that we serve, and do our jobs well, because that is why we are getting paid. It’s not a favor. And if a person is discontent with what they earn, they should pray and either study so they can be more prepared and apt for better employment or work harder to earn more. Any way you look at it, the Lord does bless hard work, effort, and of course, responsibility. But also, this same passage teaches us that we should be content with obtaining what is necessary. And how much is necessary? It’s very easy to understand that if we are truly focused on the Lord. We should concentrate in pursuing righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, and gentleness.
Now then, we should clarify something, between the brethren that try to take advantage of others and those that use the ministry or use godliness for gain. The Word makes a difference. The issue is that the Word speaks about separating ourselves from those that take advantage, and to admonish them so they can be ashamed of the wrong they are doing, and to give them the chance to change. But there is a big difference with those that use the things of God for gain. The Word says very clearly that we need to withdraw ourselves from such, but it does not talk about admonishing, nor treating them as brethren. Why would that be? Because the person that uses the ministry for gain has their conscience seared. They have no qualms, and least of all, fear for the Lord. They introduced themselves in the ministry with the goal to gain, and God will judge these with eternal condemnation. If a person does not want to be part of that condemnation, it would be even more so wiser to take distance, just as the Word counsels.
In conclusion, what does being hardworking and responsible have to do with sharing the Gospel? A lot. It’s part of our testimony as believers so we do not give any reason to the people of the world to blaspheme against the Lord for our sake, as well as use our possessions not only for our own personal needs, but also, to help others that are less fortunate, to help those that cannot simply provide for themselves because they can’t, and of course, do all things with the goal that as many people possible come to be saved through Christ. Our goal should be to do all things as to the Lord, for the glory of the Most High, and for love for our neighbor. The only way that other people’s lives can be saved and the current bad conditions of the less fortunate made better is through God’s people. Many complain about how bad the world is and about other people’s suffering, but there would be less evil and less need in others if God’s so-called people would dedicate themselves to serving the Lord as the Word teaches so they can attain immortality. So then, are you concerned with things that do matter, starting with your own salvation? Lord bless! John