“Can a man be poor if he is free from want, if he does not covet the belongings of others, if he is rich in the possession of God? Rather, he is poor who possesses much but still craves for more.” — Tertullian
In the passage where the New Testament says that every one must work, it gives as a reason ‘in order that he may have something to give to those in need’. Charity—giving to the poor—is an essential part of Christian morality: in the frightening parable of the sheep and the goats it seems to be the point on which everything turns. Some people nowadays say that charity ought to be unnecessary and that instead of giving to the poor we ought to be producing a society in which there were no poor to give to. They may be quite right in saying that we ought to produce this kind of society. But if anyone thinks that, as a consequence, you can stop giving in the meantime, then he has parted company with all Christian morality. I do not believe one can settle how much we ought to give. I am afraid the only safe rule is to give more than we can spare. In other words, if our expenditure on comforts, luxuries, amusements, etc., is up to the standard common among those with the same income as our own, we are probably giving away too little. If our charities do not at all pinch or hamper us, I should say they are too small. There ought to be things we should like to do and cannot do because our charities expenditure excludes them. I am speaking now of charities’ in the common way. Particular cases of distress among your own relatives, friends, neighbours or employees, which God, as it were, forces upon your notice, may demand much more: even to the crippling and endangering of your own position. For many of us the great obstacle to charity lies not in our luxurious living or desire for more money, but in our fear—fear of insecurity. This must often be recognised as a temptation. Sometimes our pride also hinders our charity; we are tempted to spend more than we ought on the showy forms of generosity (tipping, hospitality) and less than we ought on those who really need our help. C.S. Lewis
We have to earn it, inherit it, win it or steal it. Work is the means for contributing to society, finding fulfilment, and meeting material needs so we can provide for our families.How different our standard is from Christ's. We ask how much a man gives. Christ asks how much he keeps. - Andrew Murray
Hard working farmers have more
than enough food;
daydreamers are nothing more
than stupid fools. - Proverbs 12:11
No matter how much you want,
laziness won’t help a bit,
but hard work will reward you
with more than enough. - Proverbs 13:4
Hard work is worthwhile, but empty talk will make you poor. - Proverbs 14:23
Try your best to live quietly, to mind your own business, and to work hard, just as we taught you to do. Then you will be respected by people who are not followers of the Lord, and you won’t have to depend on anyone. - 1 Thessalonians 4:11-12
We also gave you the rule that if you don’t work, you don’t eat.- 2 Thessalonians 3:10
We have skills we should develop in order to do our work well. As followers of Christ, we see our employer as God.Our people should learn to spend their time doing something useful and worthwhile. - Titus 3:14
Employees are to work hard and well, realising that even if their employer doesn't reward them, God will. Employers are to pay decent wages. Christian businesses should set fair prices and use honest scales. As followers of Christ we tell the truth - the whole truth - when we sell a car, house, product or service. We know that God is watching and will hold us accountable for how we conduct our business.Do your work willingly, as though you were serving the Lord himself, and not just your earthly master. In fact, the Lord Christ is the one you are really serving, and you know that he will reward you.- Colossians 3:23-24
