The Work Ethic of the Cross

As you read the epistles of Paul you come to learn that everything he teaches flows from his understanding of Christ, especially the cross. Paul saw in the cross an ethical principle to apply to all of life. It was a principle that says you lay down your life for others so that they might have life and that more abundantly.

That's why when Paul found out what was happening in Thessalonika he was not very happy. He heard that some people, perhaps because of a belief that Christ was going to return shortly, had stopped working. This was troubling to Paul on several levels.

First of all, these people became a burden on others. By not working they threw themselves on the benevolence of others, but in doing so were living contrary to the cross. The cross would dictate that they labor not only to meet their own needs, but also to have enough left over to help others. Instead of being on the "take" - having other people taking care of you, the Christian should be looking for ways to "give".

Paul and those with him were careful to not be a burden on others. They wanted to "live out the cross", so if that meant working night and day, that's exactly what they did. (2 Thess 3:8) It should be noted that Paul did this even though, as an apostle he could have demanded that his needs be met by others. But Paul gave up this right because he wanted to set an example. He wanted his life to be marked by the cross, and if that meant giving up his rights, he gladly did so.

Paul was also disturbed by the Thessalonikans who weren't working because their idleness led to being busybodies. With too much time on their hands and nothing to do, they began to stick their "noses" in other people's business, and this always leads to unnecessary conflict, gossip and strife among God's people. This is not consonant with the cross either because the cross is the symbol of reconciliation not division and conflict. So Paul made it very clear to his readers that they were to work, in fact he said that they should not eat unless they work.

Have you ever thought about your work in light of the cross? Have you ever thought that your daily work to provide for your own needs and possibly the needs of others is really living out the cross? This is how Paul looked at work. In fact, he looked at all of life in light of the cross and as he applied this "principle of death" he experienced the fullness of life that rises out from it.

May God help us all to consider the implications of the cross not only for the forgiveness of sins, but also as a principle of life!