Bible Study

The Gift of Eternal Life Berean Bible Study Course

PART III--The Way Of Serving God In Christ Jesus

D. Lesson 16--We Serve By Being Holy

9. READ: 1 THESSALONIANS 4:9-12

b. What should our ambition be?

Answer: The ambition of God's people should be to lead a quiet life, to mind our own business and to work with our hands, so that our daily lives may win the respect of outsiders and so that we will not be dependent on anybody, (verses 11 and 12).

MORE INFORMATION AND/OR OTHER SCRIPTURE REFERENCES:

• Apparently some Thessalonian Christians, probably because of idleness, were taking undue interest in other people's affairs. The Greeks in general thought manual labor degrading and fit only for slaves. Christians took seriously the need for earning their own living, but some of the Thessalonian Christians, perhaps as a result of their belief in the imminent return of Christ, were neglecting work and relying on others to support them. "Not be dependent on anybody" can also be translated "have need of nothing." Both meanings are true and significant. Christians in need because of their idleness are not obedient Christians.
• Concerning leading a quiet life:

Proverbs 16:17: "When a man's ways are pleasing to the Lord, He makes even his enemies live at peace with him."

Romans 12:17-21: "Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: ‘It is Mine to avenge; I will repay,' says the Lord. On the contrary: ‘If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.' Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good."

2 Corinthians 13:11: "Finally, brothers, good-by. Aim for perfection, listen to my appeal, be of one mind, live in peace. And the God of love and peace will be with you."

1 Timothy 2:1-4: "I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone--for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior, Who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the Truth."

Hebrews 12:14: "Make every effort to live in peace with all men and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord."

• Concerning minding your own business:

Psalm 34:12-14: "Whoever of you loves life and desires to see many good days, keep your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking lies. Turn from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it."

Proverbs 6:16-19: "There are six things the Lord hates, seven that are detestable to Him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked schemes, feet that are quick to rush into evil, a false witness who pours out lies and a man who stirs up dissension among brothers."

Proverbs 11:12: "A man who lacks judgment derides his neighbor, but a man of understanding holds his tongue."

Proverbs 17:4: "A wicked man listens to evil lips; a liar pays attention to a malicious tongue."

Proverbs 21:23: "He who guards his mouth and his tongue keeps himself from calamity."

Ephesians 4:29: "Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen."

2 Thessalonians 3:11-15: "We hear that some among you are idle. They are not busy; they are busybodies. Such people we command and urge in the Lord Jesus Christ to settle down and earn the bread they eat. And as for you, brothers, never tire of doing what is right. If anyone does not obey our instruction in this letter, take special note of him. Do not associate with him, in order that he may feel ashamed. Yet do not regard him as an enemy, but warn him as a brother."

1 Timothy 5:11-15: "As for younger widows, do not put them on such a list. For when their sensual desires overcome their dedication to Christ, they want to marry. Thus they bring judgment on themselves, because they have broken their first pledge. Besides, they get into the habit of being idle and going about from house to house. And not only do they become idlers, but also gossips and busybodies, saying things they ought not to. So I counsel younger widows to marry, to have children, to manage their homes and to give the enemy no opportunity for slander. Some have in fact already turned away to follow Satan."

• Concerning working with our hands:

Genesis 3:19: "By the sweat of your brow you will eat your food until you return to the ground, since from it you were taken; for dust you are and to dust you will return."

Ecclesiastes 10:18: "If a man is lazy, the rafters sag; if his hands are idle, the house leaks."

Ecclesiastes 11:6: "Sow your seed in the morning, and at evening let not your hands be idle, for you do not know which will succeed, whether this or that, or whether both will do equally well."

Proverbs 12:14: "From the fruit of his lips a man is filled with good things as surely as the work of his hands rewards him."

Proverbs 21:25: "The sluggard's craving will be the death of him, because his hands refuse to work."

Proverbs 31:27: "She [the virtuous woman/the wife of noble character] watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness."

Ephesians 4:28: "He who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with his own hands, that he may have something to share with those in need."

2 Thessalonians 3:6-12: "In the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ, we command you, brothers, to keep away from every brother who is idle and does not live according to the teaching you received from us. For you yourselves know how you ought to follow our example. We were not idle when we were with you, nor did we eat anyone's food without paying for it. On the contrary, we worked night and day, laboring and toiling so that we would not be a burden to any of you. We did this, not because we do not have the right to such help, but in order to make ourselves a model for you to follow. For even when we were with you, we gave you this rule: ‘If a man will not work, he shall not eat.' We hear that some among you are idle. They are not busy; they are busybodies. Such people we command and urge in the Lord Jesus Christ to settle down and earn the bread they eat."

1 Timothy 5:8: "If anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for his immediate family, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever."