And that ye study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you;
Believers are commanded to live quietly, mind their own responsibilities, and earn their living by labor with their own hands. Together with growing brotherly love, this makes them self-supporting and lacking nothing, so they walk honorably before those outside the faith. The command corrects the error that Christ's soon return justifies giving up ordinary work, for Paul himself worked with his hands as an example, and those able to work but choosing idleness are not to be fed by others but urged to work and earn their own bread. Labor with the hands is no disgrace but a blessing and honor shown by Christ and the apostles, needful for bodily health and clearness of mind, and it guards against temptation while preventing disorder, gossip, dissension, and idle speech. God wills those not called to labor in word and doctrine to work at what is good to supply their own needs and have something to give to others, and learning to work with hand and head to win daily bread is a vital part of education and training for missionary service that wins respect and lessens dependence on support.
Command and Its Purpose
The verse commands believers to make it their ambition to live a quiet life, to mind their own business and responsibilities, and to earn their living by labor with their own hands, just as they had been commanded. Practicing these duties together with ever-increasing brotherly love enables them to walk honestly toward those outside the church, to be self-supporting and free from dependence on others, to provide for their own needs and to lack nothing. These instructions are binding examples of doing the Word, and ministers and teachers are especially charged to live in harmony with them.
The command corrects the error that the nearness of Christ's return justified giving up ordinary work. Paul himself worked with his hands and thereby set the example, and those who were able to work but chose idleness were not to be sustained with food or charity but were to be urged to go to work and eat their own bread.
Diligent industry in such honest work guards against temptation and shuts out disorder, gossip, dissension, jealousy, and other evils that injure the witness of the church. It teaches Christians to be diligent, industrious, orderly, and guarded in speech, attending to their own work instead of idling or meddling in the affairs of others.
Dignity Health and Diligence
Physical work is good for all, and working with one's own hands is commended as right and necessary. Labor with the hands is not a disgrace but a blessing, as shown by Christ Himself working with His hands and by the apostles doing the same. Spending time in idle contemplation is forbidden, for men and women must work while in this world.
Work is honorable and necessary for life and health. Regular physical labor outdoors, including working the soil, strengthens the body and refreshes the mind. Concentrated thought should be balanced with play and recreation. Useful labor also lightens the burdens of those who offer hospitality and can protect health from the effects of too little exercise. Ministers should do such useful physical work and care for their own needs rather than letting others wait on them.
Working with the hands should not be given up because of inconvenience or unpleasant feelings. Fear of lacking strength and lack of ambition are not reasons to avoid labor, and if strength is lacking it should be sought from God. Working with the hands does not shut out God, for while working a person can think of God and heaven. The Saviour can be taken along to the work, with the assurance that He is at the right hand ready to help in every time of need.
Steady, honest employment that glorifies God is required, with turning away from speculation and from chasing easy money to remain settled in honest labor. Such labor deals justly and in all kindness and never oppresses others in any way. Encouraging the thirst for speculation extinguishes the light given to guide feet aright. Money made easily is spent unwisely and prodigality becomes ruin. The effort to make money fast enough to maintain habits of selfish indulgence and extravagant expenses draws many into the gambling hall.
Provision for Missionary Service
God commands all whom He has not especially called to labor in word and doctrine to labor with their hands at what is good, for ordinary handwork is His will for them to supply their own necessities and to have something to give to others. Those able to work who are not specially called to devote all their time to teaching the truth or to preach or teach should work with their hands and provide for their own needs. Wholesome food should strengthen the body as God's temple.
The command to work with the hands belongs to the present time. In the coming time of trouble none will labor with their hands, their suffering will be mental, and God will provide food for them.
Manual work is an important part of education. Those training to be successful laborers for Christ must learn to work with their hands and with their head to win their daily bread. This bread-winning work is of utmost importance as part of learning to be separate from worldly customs and practices, learning to present present truth for this time, and preparing to go forth to teach their own people, with the school valued as the place of opportunity to obtain that training for service.
Learning useful skills and managing one's own affairs helps missionaries provide for themselves, serve others by teaching them to work, and gain respect and influence, while requiring less support.
Young people and young men should go where the Spirit and the Lord direct on their own responsibility, support themselves through their labor, and proclaim the warning message when they have opportunity. Depending on their own abilities and on the Lord's help with hearts filled with love for perishing souls ready to perish, they are to go forth into places where nothing has been done rather than waiting to be permitted to labor. They are to begin in a humble way and create an interest in the truth.
Believers are commanded to live quietly, mind their own responsibilities, and earn their living by labor with their own hands. Together with growing brotherly love, this makes them self-supporting and lacking nothing, so they walk honorably before those outside the faith. The command corrects the error that Christ's soon return justifies giving up ordinary work, for Paul himself worked with his hands as an example, and those able to work but choosing idleness are not to be fed by others but urged to work and earn their own bread. Labor with the hands is no disgrace but a blessing and honor shown by Christ and the apostles, needful for bodily health and clearness of mind, and it guards against temptation while preventing disorder, gossip, dissension, and idle speech. God wills those not called to labor in word and doctrine to work at what is good to supply their own needs and have something to give to others, and learning to work with hand and head to win daily bread is a vital part of education and training for missionary service that wins respect and lessens dependence on support.
Command and Its Purpose
The verse commands believers to make it their ambition to live a quiet life, to mind their own business and responsibilities, and to earn their living by labor with their own hands, just as they had been commanded. Practicing these duties together with ever-increasing brotherly love enables them to walk honestly toward those outside the church, to be self-supporting and free from dependence on others, to provide for their own needs and to lack nothing. These instructions are binding examples of doing the Word, and ministers and teachers are especially charged to live in harmony with them.
The command corrects the error that the nearness of Christ's return justified giving up ordinary work. Paul himself worked with his hands and thereby set the example, and those who were able to work but chose idleness were not to be sustained with food or charity but were to be urged to go to work and eat their own bread.
Diligent industry in such honest work guards against temptation and shuts out disorder, gossip, dissension, jealousy, and other evils that injure the witness of the church. It teaches Christians to be diligent, industrious, orderly, and guarded in speech, attending to their own work instead of idling or meddling in the affairs of others.
Dignity Health and Diligence
Physical work is good for all, and working with one's own hands is commended as right and necessary. Labor with the hands is not a disgrace but a blessing, as shown by Christ Himself working with His hands and by the apostles doing the same. Spending time in idle contemplation is forbidden, for men and women must work while in this world.
Work is honorable and necessary for life and health. Regular physical labor outdoors, including working the soil, strengthens the body and refreshes the mind. Concentrated thought should be balanced with play and recreation. Useful labor also lightens the burdens of those who offer hospitality and can protect health from the effects of too little exercise. Ministers should do such useful physical work and care for their own needs rather than letting others wait on them.
Working with the hands should not be given up because of inconvenience or unpleasant feelings. Fear of lacking strength and lack of ambition are not reasons to avoid labor, and if strength is lacking it should be sought from God. Working with the hands does not shut out God, for while working a person can think of God and heaven. The Saviour can be taken along to the work, with the assurance that He is at the right hand ready to help in every time of need.
Steady, honest employment that glorifies God is required, with turning away from speculation and from chasing easy money to remain settled in honest labor. Such labor deals justly and in all kindness and never oppresses others in any way. Encouraging the thirst for speculation extinguishes the light given to guide feet aright. Money made easily is spent unwisely and prodigality becomes ruin. The effort to make money fast enough to maintain habits of selfish indulgence and extravagant expenses draws many into the gambling hall.
Provision for Missionary Service
God commands all whom He has not especially called to labor in word and doctrine to labor with their hands at what is good, for ordinary handwork is His will for them to supply their own necessities and to have something to give to others. Those able to work who are not specially called to devote all their time to teaching the truth or to preach or teach should work with their hands and provide for their own needs. Wholesome food should strengthen the body as God's temple.
The command to work with the hands belongs to the present time. In the coming time of trouble none will labor with their hands, their suffering will be mental, and God will provide food for them.
Manual work is an important part of education. Those training to be successful laborers for Christ must learn to work with their hands and with their head to win their daily bread. This bread-winning work is of utmost importance as part of learning to be separate from worldly customs and practices, learning to present present truth for this time, and preparing to go forth to teach their own people, with the school valued as the place of opportunity to obtain that training for service.
Learning useful skills and managing one's own affairs helps missionaries provide for themselves, serve others by teaching them to work, and gain respect and influence, while requiring less support.
Young people and young men should go where the Spirit and the Lord direct on their own responsibility, support themselves through their labor, and proclaim the warning message when they have opportunity. Depending on their own abilities and on the Lord's help with hearts filled with love for perishing souls ready to perish, they are to go forth into places where nothing has been done rather than waiting to be permitted to labor. They are to begin in a humble way and create an interest in the truth.