“… you may walk properly toward those who are outside, and that you may lack nothing“
you may walk properly toward those who are outside,
Fourthly, the manner of life before non-Christians should be becoming to Christianity. The word “properly” denotes gracefully, becomingly, in a seemly manner. It is unbecoming for a Christian to drain other Christians dry financially. It’s taking advantage of their charity.
Leeching on other Christians does not impress non-Christians. Non-Christians understand propriety. Christianity is not a license to relieve us from work. On the contrary, it establishes the integrity of labor as a means to meet our needs.
and that you may lack nothing
If believers profitably occupy themselves with their own business, they will not need any financial help from anyone. He will work no hardship on their fellow Christians. The faithful pursuit of personal industry makes support by others unnecessary. If we do our job as unto the Lord, the Lord will meet our financial needs.
Principle:
An honest day’s work is a good testimony to those without Christ.
Application:
Credible Christians pay attention to the way they live on a day-to-day basis. A godless world looks upon those who leech off others with askance. Non-Christians can judge us only by appearances, so our walk should fit the fashion of Christ. What kind of testimony would we have to non-Christians if they viewed us as wranglers, gossips, critics, busybodies, and lazy?
“Walk in wisdom toward those who are outside, redeeming the time. Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one” (Colossians 4:5-6).
Christians must put in an honest day’s work. We put 40 hours into a 40-hour workweek. The standard for work for Christians is excellence. They are to be so good at their employment or business that others will take notice. Christians should do their job as unto the Lord.
