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 offer ourselves as a model for you to imitate. For even when we were with you, we gave you this rule: “The one who is unwilling to work shall not eat.” We hear that some among you are idle and disruptive. They are not busy; they are busybodies. Such people we command and urge in the Lord Jesus Christ to settle down and earn the food they eat. And as for you, brothers and sisters, never tire of doing what is good. 2 Thessalonians 3:7-13
“For he that vaunts his good services, receives glory as his reward. And he who does any duty for the sake of recompense, is he not held fast in the custom of the world, either as one who has done well, hastening to receive a reward, or as an evil-doer avoiding retribution? We must, as far as we can, imitate the Lord. And he will do so, who complies with the will of God, receiving freely, giving freely, and receiving as a worthy reward the citizenship itself…For it is right to supply want, but it is not well to support laziness.”
Clement of Alexandria (c. 150-215) in Stromata 1.1.1816-1818.
Having received the gift of Christ this Advent, let us show that we are not “held fast in the custom of this world” but that Christ has transformed how we live and give. To this end in the coming weeks we will consider together various early church teachings in the NT and see how they are echoed in church history.
Following the thinking of the Apostle Paul, Clement reminds us to imitate the Lord and set an example to others regarding work and generosity. Good advice! Together let us resolve to celebrate hard work, to not support laziness, and to never tire in doing good for eternal reward and not for earthly recognition.