Theory question 110
Civic Responsibility(a) Give an account of Paul's teaching on dignity of labour, in Thessalonians.
(b) In what three ways does the church uphold the teaching today?
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(a) Aspire to live quietly, mind your own affairs and work with your hands, so as to command the respect of outsiders and be dependent on nobody (1 Thessalonians 4:11-12).
Keep away from any brother who is living in idleness (2 Thessalonians 3:6).
Paul and his companions were not idle; they did not eat anyone's bread without paying but worked night and day (2 Thessalonians 3:7-8).
They did this to give an example, though they had the right to support (2 Thessalonians 3:9).
"If any one will not work, let him not eat" (2 Thessalonians 3:10).
Busybodies should work quietly and earn their own living (2 Thessalonians 3:11-12).
Do not be weary in well-doing (2 Thessalonians 3:13).
Note those who disobey and have nothing to do with them, but warn them as brothers (2 Thessalonians 3:14-15).
(b) Any three: skills acquisition and vocational training programmes; preaching against laziness and begging; employing members and giving loans for small businesses; schools and universities run by churches; harvest/thanksgiving that honours work; rewarding diligent workers.
Use 1 Thessalonians 4 and 2 Thessalonians 3, then three ways.