"There Is an Appointed Time" For Work and for Rest - WHAT IS YOUR ATTITUDE TOWARD WORK/

Joseph surely shared God's view of work as he taught Jesus. his adopted son, to be a carpenter.  (Matthew 13:55, 56) And Jesus would have seen Joseph working hard day after day to support his sizable family. Interestingly, Jesus later told his disciples: "The worker is worthy of his wages." (Luke 10:7) Yes, Jesus was familiar with hard work.

It was similar with the apostle Paul. His primary activity was bearing witness to Jesus' name and message. Yes, Paul worked to support himself.  The Thessalonians were aware of his "labor and toil," his working day and night' so that he would not put "an expensive burden " on anyone. (2 Thessalonians 3:*; Acts 20:34, 35)  Paul may have been referring  to his work as a tentmaker.  While in Corinth, he stayed with Aquila and Priscilla and "worked  with them, for they were tentmakers by trade."  That Paul worked "night and day" did not mean that he worked nonstop. He took breaks from tentmaking, such as on the Sabbath. That day provided him with opportunities to witness to Jews, who also were not working on the Sabbath. - ACTS 13:14-16, 42-44; 16:13; 18:1-4.

The apostle Paul set a good example. He had to do secular work; still, he made sure to share regularly "in the holy work of the  good news of God." (Romans 15:16;  2 Corinthians 11:23) He urged others to do likewise. Consequently, Aquila and Priscilla were his "fellow workers in Christ Jesus." (Romans 12:11; 16:3) Paul urged the Corinthians  to "have plenty to do in the work of the Lord." (1 Corinthians 15:58; 2 Corinthians 9:8) Jehovah even inspired the apostle Paul to write:  "If anyone does not want to work, neither let him eat." - 2 THESSALONIANS 3:10. 

The most important work in these last days is that of preaching and disciple-making. In fact, Jesus foretold that his disciples  wold do works even greater than his! (Read John 14:12)  He did not mean that we would perform miracles as he did. Rather, his followers would preach and teach in a larger territory, to more people, and for a longer period of time than he did.

If you have a secular job, ask yourself these questions:  'Am I know at my workplace as a hard worker? Do I complete my work on time and to the best of my ability? If you can answer yes, then you will likely earn your employers trust. You will also make the Kingdom message more appealing to those who are observing you.  When it comes to the preaching and teaching work, ask yourself these  questions: 'Am I known as a hard worker in the ministry? Do I prepare well for initial calls?  Do I return promptly to talk with interested people? And do I have a regular share in various aspects of the ministry?  If you can answer yes, you will find joy in your work.

Next time: "There Is an Appointed Time" for Work and for Rest - WHAT IS YOUR ATTITUDE TOWARD REST?

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