The Scrolls is a weekly Bible study written by pastors and other leaders at Central Bible Church, based on that week’s sermon topic. Use The Scrolls as a personal Bible study tool, for family devotions, and for small group discussions. You can read part of it below. The downloadable PDF also includes discussion questions, more in-depth commentary, end notes, and a kids’ page designed for families to study the topic together. This lesson goes with the sermon "Idle Hands."
According to the US Chamber of Commerce (USCOC), as of June 2023 there were approximately 2 million fewer people employed in the American workforce than compared to February of 2020. The Covid crisis interrupted industry so much that many people have found it difficult to return to work. Many have entered early retirement. Others have had to care for family members or have learned to get by with less. Analysts have labeled this trend “The Great Resignation.” Many have left the labor force altogether and are not actively seeking employment. The USCOC reports that there are 9.9 million open jobs currently but only 5.8 million reported unemployed workers. Approximately 30 million people were laid off or let go in 2020 due to Covid. Many have returned to work, but many have decided that returning to work is just not worth it. There are multiple factors contributing to this complex issue, but one wonders if the value of work has changed since the recent pandemic.
Employers are feeling the pressure of a shrinking workforce. Many service industry establishments and restaurants have had to reduce hours, reduce space or even close due to the shortage of workers. During a recent trip to Michigan, I found that many fast food restaurants were “drive-through only” and many were advertising starting hourly rates of $21 or more an hour for new-hire employees with no experience. Word on the street was that no one wanted to work these kinds of jobs.
While there is no virtue in working just for work’s sake, our attitude regarding work does contribute to our overall testimony. The desire to work in order to sustain oneself is a good moral value. A follower of Jesus should be one who wants to work in such a way as to “not be a burden” to others. “Earning the food that we eat” is biblical (2 Thess. 3:12). Many today see work as demeaning. Finding ways not to work is almost an industry unto itself. This is nothing new. Much of Greek and Roman culture thought of work as something only slaves performed. The goal of much of the ancient world was to become wealthy enough to own your own domestic labor force. Roman patrons surrounded themselves with subservients who did their bidding. Christians who worked to support themselves and to benefit others through generosity were countercultural in the ancient world. Today, Christians can also be catalysts for cultural change by simply wanting to work.
How a person works also says a lot about their witness for Christ. The New Testament encourages us to work “with all your heart, as working for the Lord” (Col. 3:23-24). Working for the Lord as well as your employer should include diligence, integrity, honesty, carefulness and compassion. A hard-working Christian is one who will give 100% and more in a work environment even if the supervisor is not present. Many employers today deal with “Quiet Quitters” who do the absolute minimum required as a form of protest while still collecting a paycheck. Rather than leave the job, a “quiet quitter” will remain employed but do as little as possible to help the business thrive. A Christian working diligently can be a countercultural force in a workplace of occupational minimalists.
Work and the resulting pay can be used to take care of one’s self, family and those in need. This too has biblical support as believers are encouraged to take care of their family members (1 Tim. 5:4, 8) as well as widows who have no family (1 Tim. 5:3,5, 16). This care would come from generosity and service dispensed through labor and accumulated resources. James states that “pure religion” is that which takes care of the widows and orphans (James 1:27). The Christian ethic is generosity that comes voluntarily from those who are working or have accumulated resources from work. Christianity does not force a utilitarian redistribution of wealth. Instead it invites people to share freely as they will, with those less fortunate.
Work with the goal of self-support and shared generosity is the Christian ideal. Such work allows us to share kindness and goodness with those in need. Paul exemplified this work ethic. We will do well to learn from his example.
Central Message of the Text:
Do all you can to avoid being a burden to those around you so you can consistently do good for those in need.
Family Talk:
One valuable tool we teach our kids is how to live and participate in the daily management of the home. We won’t actually blink when they turn 18 and suddenly they’ll know how to clean a toilet or do laundry. Whether it’s chore charts, reward systems, stars, stickers, lollipops, Chuck E. Cheese parties or marbles in a jar, we have to trick them to learn different chores and convince them that it’s fun to clean the toilet. Why do we do this? We have a responsibility to get our kids ready for launch. Parents, you’re not the cruise director. You’re the authority in your kids’ lives and have a responsibility to teach them how to be fabulous adults who can take care of themselves. Though it seems far, far away for some of you, now is the time to teach them how and what to do around the house. Summer is an especially fabulous time to reinforce this lesson because there’s generally more time at home and we all know they’re “bored” four minutes after they wake up. So, put Paul’s lesson into practice this week. Help your kids know that we all work around the house, and when we all work, we all eat. Celebrate with popsicles, ice cream or their favorite meal. Help them understand this principle of a strong work ethic applies in all factions of life — school, sports, music, and eventually employment. Reinforce this principle even as they get older. I’m still leaving a list of chores when I walk out the door. Help them understand that we work diligently because we represent Jesus Christ. We’re praying for you!