1 Thessalonians 2:9-10 (ESV Strong's)
For you remember, brothers, our labor and toil: we worked night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you, while we proclaimed to you the gospel of God. You are witnesses, and God also, how holy and righteous and blameless was our conduct toward you believers.
Title: Our Physical Work is for Spiritual Rewards
Paul physically worked for spiritual rewards! That is what the above verse talks about. Paul was writing to the churches in Thessalonica. Apparently the church had come to the point to earnestly embrace the theology of Christ’s eminent return. In fact, they thought it so eminent, they stopped working. There were some who simply meet as the church to enjoy each other’s fellowship and to live off the good works of others. Note what Paul tells this church in his second letter to them about their work ethic:
2 Thessalonians 3:10 (ESV Strong's)
For even when we were with you, we would give you this command: If anyone is not willing to work, let him not eat.
There were some who mooched off the church. They did not work. They thought belief in Christ was really enough ... in fact that it was all they had to do. They simply thought they had to believe in Christ and then sit back and wait for Him to come back. That is not the case. God has given us a hope that He will come again. Until then we are to be working for the purpose of not burdening the church, but to support us so that we can do spiritual activity. Our work product is for our spiritual product.
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