You yourselves know how you ought to imitate us, because… we worked night and day. 2 Thessalonians 3:7-8
The apostle Paul worked incredibly hard. He was a brilliant scholar, but he also had a trade that he earned money from while he was serving the church. Sometimes there was money to support him, and sometimes there was not.
When there was no money, Paul made and sold tents, and then he gave himself to ministry. He was bi-vocational, which is why he said that he “worked night and day” (3:8). Paul worked two jobs so as not to be a burden on other believers.
“The Lord commanded that those who proclaim the gospel should get their living by the gospel,” (1 Cor. 9:14). So, as an apostle, Paul had a right to financial support from the church. But look at what he says, “[We worked night and day] not because we do not have that right, but to give you in ourselves an example to imitate” (2 Thes. 3:9).
This is important, especially in the workplace. As a Christian employee, your example matters more than your rights. Never ask: “What are my rights?” without also asking: “What is my example?” What is my example to my children? To unbelieving coworkers? To the church? To saints and angels and demons? How does what I am saying and doing look in the eyes of God, who gave His Son to die on the cross for me?
Your example matters more than your rights. That doesn’t mean your rights don’t matter. And sometimes you should claim them.
When was the last time you asked: “What are my rights?” without also asking: “What is my example?”
Written by Colin Smith
Read by Sue McLeish
