Today’s devotion comes from 1 Thessalonians 4:9-12.
“Now as to the love of the brethren, you have no need for anyone to write to you, for you yourselves are taught by God to love one another; for indeed you do practice it toward all the brethren who are in all Macedonia. But we urge you, brethren, to excel still more, and to make it your ambition to lead a quiet life and attend to your own business and work with your hands, just as we commanded you, so that you will behave properly toward outsiders and not be in any need.” 1 Thessalonians 4:9-12.
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It is easy to say that we love our brethren, but it is much more difficult to act in accordance to our warm feelings and words.
It is easy to love a cute baby, but it is much more difficult to provide all that the baby needs through adulthood.
Today’s Scripture and related Scriptures provide steps “to excel more” in our love for the brethren. Here are three steps.
The first step is to take care of ourselves, so that we are not tempted to steal from others: “lead a quiet life and attend to your own business and work with your hands, just as we commanded you, so that you will behave properly toward outsiders and not be in any need.” Verses 11 and 12.
“Poor is he who works with a negligent hand,
But the hand of the diligent makes rich.
He who gathers in summer is a son who acts wisely,
But he who sleeps in harvest is a son who acts shamefully.” Proverbs 10:4-5.
But the hand of the diligent makes rich.
He who gathers in summer is a son who acts wisely,
But he who sleeps in harvest is a son who acts shamefully.” Proverbs 10:4-5.
“He who steals must steal no longer; but rather he must labor, performing with his own hands what is good, so that he will have something to share with one who has need.” Ephesians 4:28.
And, this stealing is not limited to thefts and robberies. Stealing can be done by committing fraud or other unjust business practices on others.
Here is what the Heidelberg Catechism states about the eight commandment (“You shall not steal.” Exodus 20:15):
Question 110. What doth God forbid in the eighth commandment?
Answer. God forbids not only those thefts, and robberies, which are punishable by the magistrate; but he comprehends under the name of theft all wicked tricks and devices, whereby we design to appropriate to ourselves the goods which belong to our neighbor: whether it be by force, or under the appearance of right, as by unjust weights, ells, measures, fraudulent merchandise, false coins, usury, or by any other way forbidden by God; as also all covetousness, all abuse and waste of his gifts.
Question 111. But what doth God require in this commandment?
Answer. That I promote the advantage of my neighbor in every instance I can or may; and deal with him as I desire to be dealt with by others: further also that I faithfully labor, so that I may be able to relieve the needy.
The second step is to do our job wisely, skillfully, and diligently, so that our good work blesses others.
My Dad died a few years ago. He was a medical doctor, a surgeon. At his funeral, I asked one of his friends who was a family practice doctor who referred cases needing surgery to my Dad as to what he thought of my Dad. I expected him to say something nice about my Dad such as my Dad was nice or a good friend. But, he said curtly, almost coldly: “He was competent”.
I recognized the wisdom of that comment. And, it has made a big impression on me. One of the first and most important things that we want from other people is that they do their jobs competently.
“He also who is slack in his work Is brother to him who destroys.” Proverbs 18:9 In other words, when someone does their job sloppily or unskillfully, it hurts us. At best, we or someone else has to do the job over again which costs us unnecessary time and expense. At worse, the negligent job destroys something good, and we not only have to do the job over, but we have to incur additional unnecessary time and expense to repair or replace that which was destroyed.
On the other hand, what a joy it is to be served by someone who does their job wisely, skillfully, and diligently! We gladly pay a reasonable compensation for such service. “Do you see a man skilled in his work? He will stand before kings; He will not stand before obscure men.” Proverbs 22:29
The third step is to cheerfully give to others.
“He who steals must steal no longer; but rather he must labor, performing with his own hands what is good, so that he will have something to share with one who has need.” Ephesians 4:28.
“Now this I say, he who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must do just as he has purposed in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.” 2 Corinthians 9:6-7.
And, there is this hope!
“8 And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that always having all sufficiency in everything, you may have an abundance for every good deed; 9 as it is written,
“He scattered abroad, he gave to the poor,
His righteousness endures forever.”
10 Now He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness; 11 you will be enriched in everything for all liberality, which through us is producing thanksgiving to God. 12 For the ministry of this service is not only fully supplying the needs of the saints, but is also overflowing through many thanksgivings to God. 13 Because of the proof given by this ministry, they will glorify God for your obedience to your confession of the gospel of Christ and for the liberality of your contribution to them and to all, 14 while they also, by prayer on your behalf, yearn for you because of the surpassing grace of God in you. 15 Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!” 2 Corinthians 9:8-15.
“He scattered abroad, he gave to the poor,
His righteousness endures forever.”
10 Now He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness; 11 you will be enriched in everything for all liberality, which through us is producing thanksgiving to God. 12 For the ministry of this service is not only fully supplying the needs of the saints, but is also overflowing through many thanksgivings to God. 13 Because of the proof given by this ministry, they will glorify God for your obedience to your confession of the gospel of Christ and for the liberality of your contribution to them and to all, 14 while they also, by prayer on your behalf, yearn for you because of the surpassing grace of God in you. 15 Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!” 2 Corinthians 9:8-15.
Reformed Doctrine Daily Devotions 