Work Hard

As ambassadors for Jesus, we need to be known as hard workers!

There is no excuse for being lazy, Paul says in his letter to the Thessalonians, in the book of (2 Thessalonians 3:10) that if anyone will not work, neither shall he eat.

Very strong words indeed, but so true, those in the world are watching us all this time to see how we live and how we conduct our daily lives. How we live and work speaks volumes to the man who is still in the world.

I remember many years ago very distinctly, how a so-called Christian would arrive at our farm every day just at about lunchtime with his poor wife and small children, and we would naturally offer them food to eat. But this man would never work, and he never held down a job. He would ask me for fuel for his vehicle, and my wife Jill would give his wife clothes for their little ones to wear because the children looked so poor and unkempt.

But he would always tell me that I should become a follower of Jesus, and he would constantly tell me that I should get my life into order, and Bible-bash me! I really and honestly believe that he kept me out of God’s Kingdom by his slovenly lifestyle, rather than draw me closer to salvation.

In Proverbs 6:10-11, the Word of God tells us clearly that, “a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of hands to sleep - so shall your poverty come on you like a prowler and your need like an armed man."

I would say to Jill my wife, “If that is how a Christian ought to live then I will get to heaven before he ever will, because my wife and children have food to eat, and clothes to wear, and a roof over their heads“.

Of course, we both realised later on that salvation has nothing to do with good works or man’s efforts, but rather that we are saved by grace through faith, and that of God not of ourselves ( Ephesians 2:8) and that truly happened to us some forty-odd years ago.

Our lifestyle as believers tells a story to those who are still groping for the truth, and there is nothing more endearing to a lost soul than to see a hard-working, and successful family who love and serve the Lord Jesus Christ, living an abundant life. John 10:10.

Let us be hard-working Christians for Jesus' sake!
Angus and Jill Buchan.