Nang kami ay kasama pa ninyo, ito ang itinuro namin sa inyo, “Huwag ninyong pakainin ang sinumang ayaw magtrabaho.” Binanggit namin ito dahil nabalitaan naming may ilan sa inyong ayaw magtrabaho, at walang inaatupag kundi ang makialam sa buhay ng may buhay. Sa pangalan ng Panginoong Jesu-Cristo, mahigpit naming iniuutos sa mga taong ito na sila’y maghanapbuhay nang maayos at huwag umasa sa iba.

2 Mga Taga-Tesalonica 3:10–12

Ilang taon ka nang nagtratrabaho — 5, 10, 15 years or more? There are people who started working at an early age. They needed to join the workforce nang bata pa sila para matulungan ang pamilya. Meron namang nagsimulang magtrabaho nang may edad na sila. May iba naman na nagka-first job lang pagka-graduate nila. Whatever circumstances led you to working — early, late, or just at the right time — can you say that you thank God for a chance to work? Are you happy to be working?

The apostle Paul in his second letter to the Thessalonians had some choice words for those who refused to work. These people were not just lazy. They also meddled in other people’s business. Imbes na magbanat ng buto, napupunta ang lakas sa pakikialam sa ibang tao. 

Today, consider the many blessings that come from being employed. Aside from helping you earn some money, working helps you contribute to society. If it’s good, honest work, be proud of it. Every person, from the janitor to the CEO, can honor God by doing the best that he or she can do. Today, celebrate work and the chance to use your time, talents, and gifts, and be rewarded for it. Imagine yourself working not just for your employer. Instead, “Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people” (Colossians 3:23, NLT).