On Idleness Part 3
"And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ." (Col 3:23-24)
In the context, Paul says this to servants, and as we are all servants of Christ (just like Paul (Rom 1:1), James (Jas 1:1), Peter (2 Pe 1:1), Jude (Jude 1:1), John (Rev 1:1) describe themselves in their letters), bought at a high price (1 Co 7:23), this is a proper attitude towards our daily work and responsibilities towards the family and brethren. Just as a side note it may be added that the biblical concept of servitude or slavery resembles today's idea of being an employee very much, only that biblical servants/slaves had more protection and security, and if they were brethren who sold themselves to another brother for a while, they came out of it after seven years at the most with enough gain to make their own living from then onwards, if they were not idle.
It is worth stressing here the purpose of the work done as mentioned above: "for the sake of God's Kingdom". We know from the first chapter of the bible that we are called to be good stewards of God's creation (Gen 1:28), and Jesus teaches and emphasizes this as well in the Lord's prayer: "Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven." (Mat 6:10; Luk 11:2), and promises that if this is our first priority, He will take care of everything else:
"But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you." (Mat 6:33)
Idleness is certainly not a fitting attitude if it is the Kingdom of God that we are commanded to seek and take care of.
Read on here:
Go back to the beginning here:
Go to Part 2 here:
