One of the purposes of these letters is to encourage those who are in Christ to be convicted by the Holy Spirit through the Word of God, to be more than hearers of the Word, but doers.
Encouraging people who want to is a much easier task than encouraging those who feel they have to.
Three verses for your contemplation then.
“For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat.” (2nd Thess. 3:10)
“But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel.” (1st Tim. 5:8)
And the third, which seems in conflict, but is not, with the first two.
“But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” (Phil. 4:19)
Those first two verses are usually visualized by most as getting up and going to work for money, or at least bringing in some form of financial resources into the home. Even Adam was commanded to tend the garden. But here is where many falter, for they believe that if they do not do so, the Lord will not provide for their needs, and so the foolish saying was born, “God helps those who help themselves,” referring to the falsehood that if you do not toil in the world for financial gain, the Almighty will not provide for your needs.
“For after all these things do the Gentiles seek: for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.” (Matt. 6:32)
Who will receive the blessing, those who believe they have to or He will not bless them, or those who want to, and trust in His promises?
Here is the deceitfulness of riches, whether it be great gain or a paycheck that barely lasts week to week, vainglory says I have to, or God will not.
“Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.” (1st Cor. 10:31)
And so that employment field and the financial wherewithal it supplies becomes a “have to,” it becomes the means in their mind as the way that the Lord is providing for them, they toil in the garden but cannot hear His voice, the means becomes the end of their “want to.”
What if that man not only wants to but feels he has to, he enjoys what he is doing for money, yet he is not the Spiritual leader in his home? He prays when he has a need, but praise rarely passes from his lips in times of distress, he may read the Scriptures, but only because he is supposed to, not studying to show himself approved, but in an attempt to please the Lord, when it is nothing more than another work, a “have to.”
He does not forsake the assembly of himself with others, for Sunday morning is a requirement for him. He brings the paycheck into the house, but not the truths of the Scriptures to the ears of those he provides for. He has done what was commanded of him, he has worked so now he can eat, he is not an infidel because he has provided for his family, and because he has toiled in the world, and for it, the Most High will now provide all of his needs.
He does not want to lead his family in prayer and praise, nor does he believe it is his responsibility, that is why they go to church.
It is indeed a subtle trap of our adversary. Is this man not truly saved, or too embarrassed to lead his family in the path of righteousness?
Is there a difference between those two?
He does what he believes he has to do, he goes out into the world and brings the riches of it home with him, and he reveals, by his own strength, self-will and determination that he is the man of the house, but he is not a leader of righteousness.
Many women of God desire their husbands to be the Spiritual leaders in their homes, they are surrounded by the things of the world that by his toil he has obtained, yet he will not lead in that which is eternal.
