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Just in case you wanted to know, I did not win the giant powerball jackpot this week. If I did, I would be somewhere warm right now! It’s always funny to see how people get worked up with the massive drawings and how different news sites offer articles on what to do if you win. But what tends to be the number one thing people say they will do, if they hold the winning ticket? Almost everyone fantasizes about some scenario where they would quit their job, often in some dramatic or vindictive way. There is something deep within human nature that judges work to be one of the obstacles to personal happiness. If money is no longer needed or is in plentiful supply, is there any reason to work?!
In fact, the Thessalonians from today’s second reading had this very argument. Not because they had won the lottery or found some big pot of gold. The reason many of them had quit their jobs and stopped working is that they were waiting for Jesus to come back and initiate the end of the world. Their reasoning was simple and confident; Jesus seemed to say that he would be back soon so why bother with earning money and needless toil in the meantime. None of that would mean anything in heaven and just seemed like wasted time and effort!
St. Paul hears about it and goes nuts, for a couple of reasons. First of all, there is a practical problem. While these unemployed Christians were loitering around, waiting for some sort of rapture, they still needed to eat. So they were asking their friends, family, and neighbors for food. This was becoming a burden to the many hard-working Christians who decided to keep honoring their responsibilities until the mysterious moment that the Lord came back. Secondly, these leisurely believers had nothing else to do while they waited so they were becoming busy bodies, armchair quarterbacks, putting their noses in everyone’s business and stirring up trouble. There is a reason for the saying, idle hands and idle minds are the devil’s workshop. These folks were doing more harm than good and their assumption that Jesus’ return was just around the corner wasn’t helping them or anyone else. In fact it was was causing spiritual, economic, and relational harm to the whole community because they had ceased being contributing members of society.
St. Paul reminds them that when he came to preach the gospel to their city, he did not rely on them for anything. In fact, he earned his own keep as a tentmaker so he could buy his own food. He mentions that some of this work was drudgery, in other words, he didn’t do it because he loved it or because it was his passion but he did it because it was the right thing to do and it allowed him to be in the midst of the people he served rather than living some sort of entitled and exalted existence. His work, as ordinary and practical as it was, played a part in loving God and serving the people around him. It made him relatable and credible to the people he preached to.
Which gives us an opportunity to reflect on the view we have of our own work. Sigmund Freud, who had some truly strange and unchristian views, was once asked what he thought was needed for people to be happy. His response was simple: love and work. In fact, this is absolutely true, for every person, especially for everyone who follows Christ, these two things are necessary: healthy, loving relationships and meaningful work. Even before Adam and Eve turned away from God in the Garden of Eden, God wanted them to work. In the garden, their labor would reflect God’s own productivity and creativity and was the way they exercised their stewardship over creation. It was only after sin entered the world that work became difficult, unpleasant, and unfulfilling. But it was always part of his plan.
Work still has tremendous value for each of us. It is the primary way we exercise the gifts and talents we have received from God. Any honest occupation is the main way that we provide for our families and those who are less fortunate. Work makes it possible for us to support the charitable endeavors of our church and to make the world around us a little better than we found it. It is the typical channel where we live out our faith and provide a good example for others. Our work gives witness to the truth of the gospel and the gift of God’s grace; it can be done for the Glory of God and the good of others. It is important to note that work is not the same as a job; not all work is compensated with money or material things. Some of the most critical types are repaid by love alone, as we think about the countless and often-hidden contributions of parents, mentors, and other care-givers. Finally, work gives meaning to our lives and keeps us out of trouble. We are called to spend our days doing things with purpose and building up the kingdom of God.
Does this mean that we should never rest or take a vacation? No! Is St. Paul and the Church encouraging us to be work-a-holics and never sit still? No! A little rest and relaxation are good and holy things. But if we find ourselves trying to avoid as much work as possible or dreaming of a life of leisure, we should know that such an existence will inevitably lead to restlessness, dissatisfaction, and temptations of every kind.
Today let us apply St. Paul’s words to ourselves and consider how we view our work. For a child, that might be our chores around the house. If we are a student, our work will be our studies. If we are a spouse and parent, that will be fulfilled by preparing meals, caring for the home, encouraging our family, and carrying out our profession with integrity, if we are older or retired, our work will be taking advantage of opportunities to help our family, volunteer, and offer prayer. Holy and meaningful work is anything that occupies our time and engages our energy, talents, and thoughts. May we imitate St. Paul, using our work as a way to serve others, give glory to God, and prepare for that day when Jesus returns in all his glory!
