Thursday, September 6, 2012
1 Timothy 5:8 But if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.
WHY WORK?
We have seen through the last few devotions that it is God's will that we work if we are able. We have seen that there are blessings to be gained through labor. One such benefit is the ability to provide for ourselves and our families. If we do not provide for our own families, either by refusing to work or wasting what God provides, the Lord through the Apostle Paul has something to say to us.
The above quoted passage from the Spirit inspired letter to Timothy is striking to say the least. It says that if a person does not provide for his own he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever. God's will with regard to work isn't vague. He expects that we labor and use the wages we earn to support ourselves and our families. He would surely also have us live within our means and not be covetous.
He is worse than an unbeliever. Wow. Even the heathen know to provide for their own, should not God's people? Should not those who know from Whom their blessings flow? Should we not freely dispense the gifts He gives to support those given into our temporal and spiritual care? Should we not also provide for those for whom Christ died?
God help us to labor each day in order that we may also love those entrusted to us.
