Q2. Example of Hard Work

[Pastor Ralph]

Q2. (2 Thessalonians 3:7-9) What kind of example did Paul set with regard to work when he was in Thessalonica? As a Christian worker, did he have a right to support? Why didn’t he exercise that right?

[Gerbrand van Schalkwyk]

What kind of example did Paul set with regard to work when he was in Thessalonica?

He worked to support himself. We see this often in Africa. Missionaries come to work among the locals to teach them new skills, unfortuanately, what often happens is that the people then sits back and lookwhile the missionaries do most of the work.

We must work together, and learn together, not sit back and let others do all the work.

As a Christian worker, did he have a right to support?

For sure, and it was well understood by all to whom he brought the message. A priest was supposed to be supported by the comunity by tithing, feww will offerings and 1st fruit offerings.

Why didn't he exercise that right?

He was living an example for those he taught.

[JanMary]

Q2. (2 Thessalonians 3:7-9) What kind of example did Paul set with regard to work when he was in Thessalonica?

Paul did not shirk or behave in a disorderly way, but instead with toil and struggle worked night and day so as to not burden anyone with his support. He worked at his trade as tentmaker and then worked tirelessly teaching and discipling and sharing the gospel.

As a Christian worker, did he have a right to support?

Yes! Paul taught that the Christian worker was entitled to support, and "not to muzzle the ox when it was treading the grain!" The Thessalonians who were idle and slothful, were waiting for the rapture any day, so they just sat and waited and busied themselves with meddling and gossip instead of working to provide for their families.

Why didn’t he exercise that right?

He preferred to be an example to those who were idling, to demonstrate that on one knows the day nor the hour of the rapture, so to keep on "hoeing the garden" as St. Francis of Assisi said when asked what he would do if he knew Christ was coming today!

[gripofhisgrace]

Q2. (2 Thessalonians 3:7-9) What kind of example did Paul set with regard to work when he was in Thessalonica? As a Christian worker, did he have a right to support? Why didn’t he exercise that right?

Paul set the example by working wherever he went. He worked as a tentmaker and worked beside other Christian workers. As a disciple he had a right to support just as the believers were told to support their preists. However, Paul couldn't afford to have people accuse him of preaching one thing and practicing another.

[Lion of Grace]

Q2. (2 Thessalonians 3:7-9) What kind of example did Paul set with regard to work when he was in Thessalonica? As a Christian worker, did he have a right to support? Why didn’t he exercise that right?

Paul set the example to be a hard worker and to keep occupied with things that are good for us as opposed to being lazy and occupying ourselves with sinful ways such as gossiping and meddling because of too much time on our hands. He also set the example of being able to provide for himself as opposed to having others having to always provide for him.

As a Christian worker he did have the right for support, but there were so many being lazy at the time and counting on sole support of others instead of finding their own work to do, he felt he needed to show them by living his life as a hard worker that this was a more excellent way.

He didn't exercise this right because he wanted to be a living example to those he was teaching. He wanted the integrity of his life to reflect what he was teaching.

[Jen]

Q2. (2 Thessalonians 3:7-9) What kind of example did Paul set with regard to work when he was in Thessalonica? As a Christian worker, did he have a right to support? Why didn't he exercise that right?

Paul worked hard to support himself. He was not lazy or a sluggard nor could anyone accuse him of that.

Yes he did have a right to some support however he chose not to exercise that right so as not to hinder the gospel.

The gospel was everything to him and he lived his life accordingly.

God Bless!

Jen

Romans 15:13

[Craig]

Q2. (2 Thessalonians 3:7-9) What kind of example did Paul set with regard to work when he was in Thessalonica? As a Christian worker, did he have a right to support? Why didn’t he exercise that right?

Paul worked to support himself and provide charity to those truly in need. He did have the right to expect support in his mininstry. However, Thessalonia being a new church plant just getting off the ground, Paul decided not to accept support from them. Thus, Paul took the burden off of them to support him.

This decision was his call. It also set an example of service done out of love and commitment and that compensation, even though deserved, should not drive the believers service to the Lord Jesus Christ.

It also set a strong example to the spongers.

[Delivered]

Q2. (2 Thessalonians 3:7-9) What kind of example did Paul set with regard to work when he was in Thessalonica?

Paul's teaching was followed with that of EXAMPLE.

Paul had already given one warning to the church, Paul continued to work hard so that he would not be a burden to others, and yet there were those who were still taking advantage of the situation, and this is not expectable with God or with the church.

Paul continued on setting a work ethic for others to follow, and by so doing, he was an encouragement to the church, to those who were working hard, so they would not be a hinder to the Gospel.

As a Christian worker, did he have a right to support?

Yes, he was worthy of his hire.

Why didn't he exercise that right?

The reason appeared to be because of those who were not helping; instead they brought confusion and disorder to the church.

Paul continued to work hard for God, and he did not want them, the disorderly, to hinder the going forth of the word, for it would discouraging to the others, to those who were working hard.

[hanks]

Q2. (2 Thessalonians 3:7-9)

What kind of example did Paul set with regard to work when he was in Thessalonica?

As a Christian worker, did he have a right to support?

Why didn't he exercise that right?

He earned his own living while he was preaching the gospel. Although he had a right to be supported, he preferred to forego this right in order to set an example. Paul not only taught them about idleness by word of mouth but also by his personal example. To not be a burden, he added manual labour to his mission work; working as a tentmaker to earn his food and keep. By earning his own living he was making himself a model for the Thessalonians to follow. Even going so far as to say that if a man does not work he shall not eat, as we see in the next verse.

[haar]

Paul, though had the right to be taken care of his needs as an a minister of God but chose work hard to earn his living.

He did this to show the young church in Thessalonica an example that every Christian should work hard and not to be lazy or idle.

[Raph]

Q2. (2 Thessalonians 3:7-9)

What kind of example did Paul set with regard to work when he was in Thessalonica?

When he was in Thessalonica, Paul set an example of hard working.

As a Christian worker, did he have a right to support?

As a Christian worker, he had a right to support, but he chose not to exercise such right.

Why didn't he exercise that right?

He did not exercise that right in order to show the Thessalonians the example of a hard worker and not to be a burden to them.

[t-c]

Q2. (2 Thessalonians 3:7-9) What kind of example did Paul set with regard to work when he was in Thessalonica?

He set tthe example of a hard working disciple of Christ, who earned his own keep and paid his way as he worked to evangelize, disciple and church plant in Thessalonica. He set an example for those in Thessalonica to follow.

As a Christian worker, did he have a right to support?

Yes; 1 Timothy 5:18 For Scripture says, "Do not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain," and "The worker deserves his wages." Luke 10:7 Stay there eating and drinking whatever they give you, for the worker deserves his wages.

Why didn't he exercise that right?

I think that he was trying to set a good example for them. They were hard pressed as it was, and some were idle and living off the hard work of others. He couldn't very well tell them to work hard and provide for themsevles if he wasn't willing to do it himself; even though it was his right as a worker for the Lord.

[wjcargile]

Paul set the example by working hard as a tent maker, and did not take advantage of his rights, of support from the people.

Paul exercised that right because he didn't want to do anything to hinder the gospel of CHRIST.

[charisbarak]

He set an example of hard work meeting his own needs.

Yes Christian workers do have a right to be supported by the body.

He decided not to do it as an example to the believers.

[csreeves]

Q2. (2 Thessalonians 3:7-9) What kind of example did Paul set with regard to work when he was in Thessalonica? As a Christian worker, did he have a right to support? Why didn’t he exercise that right?

Work as Paul and other disciples did. As an example, work in order to offer ourselves as a model for you to imitate.

[Guitar Jim]

Q2. (2 Thessalonians 3:7-9) What kind of example did Paul set with regard to work when he was in Thessalonica?

Paul apparently worked his guts out to support not only himself, but those who were on his team. Paul had a trade, a tentmaker, and it would have been easier for him to find work than perhaps it would have been for the other members of his team who may have been unqualified and harder to employ. He worked long and hard so as not to have to be supported by the very people to whom he was ministering.

As a Christian worker, did he have a right to support?

Yes he did. Jesus Himself told His disciples when he sent them out, to go to houses where they would be welcomed . . . and to shake the dust off their feet at the houses where they weren't welcome. The Middle Eastern customs of hospitality are a foreign concept to us westerners.

Why didn’t he exercise that right?

Paul was preaching the Gospel to people who hadn't heard of Jesus before he'd told them about Him. The last thing Paul wanted or needed was to bring the Gospel into any negative light. He was also on the run, so to speak, from the Jewish authorities who were continuously trying to undermine his ministry. Therefore he had an unusually high standard and work ethic so as to be totally blameless in the eyes of Jews and gentiles alike. He certainly wasn't going to be remembered as a sluggard who sponged off other people.

[RD35]

Paul set an example by working hard for his bread.

As a Christian worker, he had the right to receive support from believers.

He did’nt exercise his right so that he could give believers whom he was teaching an example or model of hard work in his own life.

[Thanking Joan]

While in Thessolonica,Paul set himself as a example by working for his own living. He first practised what he preached.

He did have a right to support because the church to whom he was ministering to had a obligation to take care of Paul's needs.

He did not do so because he wanted to be an example of what he was teaching. It becomes easy for others to follow you when you lead by example. Not only words but his actions proved it.

[antonate]

Paul was not idle when he was with the thessolonians. He worked hard day and night laboring and toiling so that he would not be a burden to them and Paul himself became a example to the thessolonians showing them not to remain idle.

He had the full right to receive his wages as he preached Christ but he set an example to the thessolonians to be hard working and not remain idle.

[Old Jerry]

The sample that Paul set with regard to work was that he worked all the time that he was there and did not take food from his congregation. But as a Christian worker he did have the right to their support. He didn’t exercise that right because he wanted to be an example for them to follow.

 

 

[WinstonY]

Q2. (2 Thessalonians 3:7-9) What kind of example did Paul set with regard to work when he was in Thessalonica? As a Christian worker, did he have a right to support? Why didn’t he exercise that right?

Paul worked all day while he was with the Thessalonicians . At the end of his working day he would than preach the gospel at night. He worked very hard. He must have been tough but he was working with the spirit full in him. Yes Paul preached and taught that a worker had a right to his wage - that you should not muzzle an ox. Paul did not want to accept support so it could not be said that he was in it for profit. He was in effect giving them a model of hard work.

[JoanG]

Paul had a right to expect the community to support him during his stay there. He was entitled to food and shelter. However, Paul was trying to be an example of what a follower of Christ was like. He worked to pay his own way, He not only taught the word of the Lord as a primary job, he also worked as a tent maker. He wanted to show how to work for Christ and how to live a life that was a glory to the Lord.

[Damary Alembi]

Q2. (2 Thessalonians 3:7-9) What kind of example did Paul set with regard to work when he was in Thessalonica? He taught them by his own example of working for his food, presumably as a tentmaker. “They did not eat anyone’s food without paying for it, they worked day and night, laboring and toiling so that they could not be a burden to any of them.

As a Christian worker, did he have a right to support? They had a right to support but he did in order to make himself a model for the Thessalonians to follow. He did not exercise the right because he wanted to be a model for them to follow; so as not to hinder the Gospel of Christ.

Why didn't he exercise that right? He did in order to make himself a model for the Thessalonians to follow.

[Reuben]

Q2. (2 Thessalonians 3:7-9) What kind of example did Paul set with regard to work when he was in Thessalonica? As a Christian worker, did he have a right to support? Why didn’t he exercise that right?

Paul states it clearly in the letter that he worked day and night, and did not stay or eat for free from any man while he was in Thessalonica. Yes he had a right to get support from others as long as was not a freeloader, which he obviously was not. Just doing the work Christ can take time and dedication, and some people does not see this as labour, and that is why Paul went the extra mile to set the example that he could not be blamed for doing "nothing". 

It seems to be clear that there was some element of gossip and negative influence as well as others that abused the hospitality of some fellow believers. One can deduct from Pauls letter that he clearly does not like the fact that they might think he has set the example to these freeloaders , and reminds them in all seriousness how he has conducted himself rightfully when he was with them. No wonder he had to work day and night , since he had to run two jobs, and only earned a income from one. I still see that today where some pastors do two jobs to support themselves and their families.

[Jonathan Edwards]

Apostle Paul kept his place as a diligent soldeir in the army of the Lord.   His thoughts and heart were caught up in Christ Jesus. He had no time to waste engaging in idleness and getting involved in other peoples' lives.  His job as a tent maker was taxing, and Apostle Paul had to maintain his churches. He wanted to be example of what a disciplined Christian should be.

Paul loved Christ deeply; he didn't want to be a stumbling block to these new Thessalonian Christains. He surely had a right to be supported by local churches.  It meant more to him that being a working man and by his role as a servant, he was teaching these new converts about what a mature Christian should be doing.   Paul didn't want his new converts to backslide, and go back to the old mystery religions and immoral behaviour.