The idea of working to support others is often very foreign in our society today. We often fall into believing that every person should work to support themselves and their close family. Like their spouse and children. As Christians though we cannot simply follow what culture dictates or what we want to believe. We must turn to the scripture to see what God has said we are to do. In this instance, it may shock many Christians to see that scripture teaches we should in fact work to support others.
Now I know exactly where your mind first wants to go. To the very scriptures that teach about laziness and those that say we should strive to work with our hands. You’re right. Every Christian should do their best to provide for themselves and their family. However, this does not change the fact that things happen and often time the hardest workers still need help at times. Not to mention all those who do not share our faith that still needs our support.
1 Timothy 5:8 (ESV)
8 But if anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for members of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.
2 Thessalonians 3:10 (ESV)
10 For even when we were with you, we would give you this command: If anyone is not willing to work, let him not eat.
1 Thessalonians 4:11–12 (ESV)
11 and to aspire to live quietly, and to mind your own affairs, and to work with your hands, as we instructed you, 12 so that you may walk properly before outsiders and be dependent on no one.
The Bible is clear that when we have the ability to give and help out another person we should. It consistently paints a picture that it is the responsibility of the Christian, who is able, to meet the needs of others. Jesus even said we are to give to anyone who asks. He put no limits on that but simply said we are to share the very things we have worked so hard for. He even said that we should not expect to receive anything in return when we do give to others.
Acts 20:35 (ESV)
35 In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ ”
Hebrews 13:16 (ESV)
16 Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.
1 Timothy 6:18 (ESV)
18 They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share,
Matthew 5:42 (ESV)
42 Give to the one who begs from you, and do not refuse the one who would borrow from you.
Luke 6:34–35 (ESV)
34 And if you lend to those from whom you expect to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, to get back the same amount. 35 But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return, and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, for he is kind to the ungrateful and the evil.
Paul wrote to those who once made their living as thieves, telling them that they should no longer steal. Instead, he said they should do honest work with their own heads. Not to simply support themselves and their own. No Paul said they should work so they would have something to give to anyone in need. Should not this very statement apply to all Christians even those who have never stolen anything?
Ephesians 4:28 (ESV)
28 Let the thief no longer steal, but rather let him labor, doing honest work with his own hands, so that he may have something to share with anyone in need.
The Bible speaks to not only offering support to those who only need it once or on occasion but to those who need long term help. Many times the Bible speaks of supporting widows especially those of one’s own family. James wrote that taking care of widows and orphans, those who truly cannot support themselves is pure and undefiled religion in the eyes of God. Supporting people such as this should be one of the major reasons we spend so much of our time working. Not so we can gain more and more but so others can simply have what they need. Especially when our support is going to those like widows and orphans who can’t work for themselves.
1 Timothy 5:4 (ESV)
4 But if a widow has children or grandchildren, let them first learn to show godliness to their own household and to make some return to their parents, for this is pleasing in the sight of God.
1 Timothy 5:16 (ESV)
16 If any believing woman has relatives who are widows, let her care for them. Let the church not be burdened, so that it may care for those who are truly widows.
James 1:27 (ESV)
27 Religion that is pure and undefiled before God the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.
Up to this point, it seems like working to support others is all about financial support. While that is a big part of it and something we should do when we are able that’s not all it is about. There are areas we can and need to work in to support not only our needs but others. One of those is prayer. Praying is so important for our own good but our prayers can also have a great impact on others. That is why we are told to pray for all people. Every Christian should spend time in prayer every day not only praying for their needs but the needs of others. The prayers of a righteous person have great power and we should support others through prayer.
1 Timothy 2:1–2 (ESV)
1 First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, 2 for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way.
James 5:16 (ESV)
16 Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.
Like prayer, Bible study is something that every Christian should be working hard at daily. To improve in our own walk with God and keep ourselves on the right track. But also so we can use the knowledge we have gained to support others in their time of need. Whether that’s a fellow Christian going through a tough time or a lost person who has never heard the Gospel. In many ways, a pastor’s job is working to support the faith of others. We all have a level of responsibility to do the very same thing just not on the same scale.
Matthew 28:19–20 (ESV)
19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
Colossians 3:16 (ESV)
16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.
Once when speaking of the day of judgment Jesus said there would be two groups of people. One group you could say worked and supported others. This group was granted salvation. The other group only worked for themselves they never took the time to help those in need. They did not gain entry into Heaven even though they knew the Lord. In this message, Jesus also shows us that by meeting the needs of others it is as if we are meeting His needs. Working to support others is not simply something we should do but plays a role in our salvation. It even works to show the love we have for God in a tangible way.
Matthew 25:34–40 (ESV)
34 Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. 35 For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, 36 I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.’ 37 Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? 38 And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? 39 And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ 40 And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’
Matthew 25:44–46 (ESV)
44 Then they also will answer, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to you?’ 45 Then he will answer them, saying, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me.’ 46 And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.”
This is not all to say that Christians should work harder to make the lives of others easier. That is not the case at all. Really it is about those who are able to, making sure the needs of others are met. Whether that means helping them financially, physically, or spiritually. Followers of Christ should do whatever they can to help others when they are able. Then when the tables turn and the one who was the helper becomes the one in need the person they helped can help them. This is not a new concept but one we find in God’s own word.
2 Corinthians 8:13–14 (ESV)
13 For I do not mean that others should be eased and you burdened, but that as a matter of fairness 14 your abundance at the present time should supply their need, so that their abundance may supply your need, that there may be fairness.
As Christians, we must look past culture and our own beliefs, wants, feeling, and desires. Instead, looking towards the call of scripture and the needs of others. Looking to help anyone and everyone in whatever way we can. Jesus is our example and He was in no way selfish. Ultimately giving up His own life so we could have ours while we were still lost, sinners. Should we not be willing to give up just a little to those less fortunate than ourselves. Just imagine the world if every Christians stopped working only for themselves. And began to follow the teaching of scripture by working to support others. I believe it would cause a revival as we have yet to see! One built on the fruit of the spirit.
Galatians 5:22–23 (ESV)
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.
Are you interested in supporting this ministry? If so all we ask is that you please take a moment to share this article with someone else. Every share allows us to greatly broaden our audience. You share could even be the very thing someone you know needs to see today. To share simply click on one of the icons below. Thank you for supporting us in this way and God Bless!
Visit Justin’s personal website Here. Or see articles from other writers we feature Here. Also, be sure to stop by our prayer wall.