2Thessalonians 3:10 For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat (KJV, emphasis mine). Of course, there is the natural application to this verse, but at this juncture, it will be approached from a spiritual perspective. There are those who freely feast off other people’s labors without doing any of the labor themselves. They go to church, attend Bible studies, read books, log onto ministry web-sites to take advantage of whatever is available, listen to messages from those who minister via the TV and radio; yet, they themselves will not open up the Bible and study it for themselves. This is not intended to take away from these areas of ministry. They have their place, but they should not replace one’s own study. Granted, there are those who need to be discipled by others; however, each believer is ultimately responsible to feed his self.
The word “work” means to be engaged in, to labor or toil, or minister. It has a number of applications that range from laboring in a particular field of occupation; from doing business, to doing labor and production; from ministry, to working of miracles, and so on. In this verse, it also means to be engaged in one’s own work. Each individual makes up a part of the whole in the Body of Christ. Each member has a particular place and calling in the Body. Each one has something to offer, and each should labor in order to have something to offer. This aspect about work, which is often overlooked, is found in Ephesians 4:28, “Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth” (KJV). This works on all levels: we work hard so that we may be able to bless others. It is not something that is to be self-serving. Some of the most miserable people on the planet are those who refuse to work, and serve others. We are created to serve, in fact, that is when we are the happiest. Of course, we must be able to receive, so that others have a place to give. Integrity does not rely on the fruit of other people’s labor; it labors with excellence with the intent to produce fruit as the Holy Spirit leads. Acts 20:35 I (Paul) shewed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how He said, it is more blessed to give than to receive (emphasis mine).
We are called to rightly divide the Word of Truth (see 2Timothy 2:15), and in so doing, we are going to need study with integrity. We must be willing to see what the Word really is saying. That means we need to examine our belief system and compare it to the Word of God, and be willing to conform to it. Integrity will not allow us to attempt to conform the Word to some personal doctrine. For those who do not take the time to study and rely on other people’s labor: how do you know that what is being taught is sound doctrine? Scripture tells us that there are doctrines of men and devils, but there is only one Doctrine of Christ.
Can a person in good conscience share a teaching with others that he has not even studied for his self? It is not wise to teach something someone else has taught, without first comparing it to the Word of God. Remember, we are held accountable for what we teach another (see James 3:1). We will not be able to stand before the Lord and say, “Brother So-and-so said,” and expect to avoid taking the responsibility of our own words. ” Brother So-and-so” will be held accountable for his own words. We have to remember that our words can affect the lives of others for all eternity, which is another reason to have an excellent work ethic in relation to the Scriptures. Integrity walks in the fear of the Lord.
Some refuse to study because they believe they are only accountable for what they know, and will not be accountable for what they do not know. This is a false assumption, and a huge mistake. Hosea 4:6 says, “My people are destroyed for the lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to Me: seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children” (KJV). Refusing the Word of God is essentially the same as rejecting it. If we refuse to learn, we will be held responsible for that as well. The huge mistake is that when someone refuses to learn what the Word has to say, essentially he is failing to learn Who God is. The Lord reveals Himself through the Scriptures, and the better we know them, the better we know Him. Studying the Scriptures should be a place of intimacy with the Father, where we commune with Him in His Word. Integrity wants to know God from His perspective, and will therefore have an excellent work ethic.
One more thing to consider in relation to a good work ethic: repetition can cause complacency. Many have read certain passages of Scripture several times over; as a result, they could treat them with less care than if they were reading them for the first time. They may begin to think; I already know what that passage is all about, what else could there be to learn? We need to guard ourselves from the proverbial, “know-it-all” attitude. Integrity does not assume to know all there is to know about any part of the Word; it remains teachable! Things often come to light that we have never been seen before, in verses of Scripture that have been read many times over. We must stay open, and we must stay diligent.
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