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NASB | 1 Thessalonians 4:11 and to make it your ambition to lead a quiet life and attend to your own business and work with your hands, just as we commanded you, |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | 1 Thessalonians 4:11 and to make it your ambition to live quietly and peacefully, and to mind your own affairs and work with your hands, just as we directed you, |
Bible Question:
Charis: You mentioned the order of priority in the home (Serve God, serve immediate family, serve local church family). I have heard this before, actually it was about two weeks ago for the first time. So it is quite appropriate that you also mentioned it. Please can you assist with any back up verses that concur with this. Not that I doubt it, it's just that it would really help to put things into context for me. You see, I'm a very simple person so it takes much for me to understand. :-) I do agree and understand, however I like as much confirmation as possible. Thanks and God Bless, Louder |
Bible Answer: Dear Louder, I am very happy to hear that my words were a confirmation to you. I am a person pursuing simplicity, so please do not think you are troubling me. I am honored to help, and strengthened in my own walk by attempting to make this concept understandable. 1)Serve God- this is a no-brainer. "Now, therefore, fear the Lord and serve Him in sincerity and truth; and put away the gods which your fathers served beyond the River and in Egypt, and serve the Lord." Joshua 24:14 NASB. There are many verses that speak of serving God first and only. It is an attitude of he heart, a matter of trust and faith and submission. 2)Serve family- The act of serving God begins with serving your own family. This is not serving 'in the flesh' by bringing home a paycheck. This is caring and responsibility. Jesus said that we are to leave our homes and make our own (Matthew 19:5). Ephesians 5:22-6:4 tells us of the love that a family must share to glorify Jesus. Though nowhere says clearly "home-before-church," the qualifications of an elder-deacon in 1 and 2 Timothy and Titus clearly state that a servant of the church must first be a servant of his-her family. 3)Serve your local church- The next way to manifest our service to God is to serve His people, the body of Christ. "And sitting down, He called the twelve and said to them, "If anyone wants to be first, he shall be last of all, and servant of all." Mark 9:35 NASB. "So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints, and are of God's household," Ephesians 2:19ff NASB. When we become part of the Lord's church, we become part of His world-wide body of believers. However, the main manner in which we manifest this 'membership' is in the fellowship of the saints of a local expression of His body. The Bible speaks about commitment and service as a real thing, not a 'nebulous' feeling of togetherness. This is why 'para-church' is just that, a subsidiary function. These can never replace the holy responsibility toward a committed body of believers. X)Serve your boss- We are clearly told to serve our earthly masters. "Slaves, in all things obey those who are your masters on earth, not with external service, as those who merely please men, but with sincerity of heart, fearing the Lord." Colossians 3:22 NASB. (Remember, this is to be done 'as unto the Lord,' not as unto men, or as unto yourself.) I find it hard to place a clear priority 'number' on this one. I can find no exhortation to 'pursue a career' in the Bible. One may say that they didn't have careers back then, but this is not true. Even back then, they had the convoluted intrigues of public service, trade guilds, and religion. So the 'career-minded' Pharisees are a case-in-point against self-seeking job focus. Also, the Scriptures and comments by Steve Butler are very good. I pray that these (few) verses and comments will be of (para-church) service to you :-) In Christ Jesus, charis |