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Work a Blessing, July 13
For ye remember, brethren, our labour and travail: for labouring night
and day, because we would not be chargeable unto any of you, we
preached unto you the gospel of God.
1 Thessalonians 2:9
.
Though Paul sat, a diligent student, at the feet of Gamaliel, he also learned
a trade. He was an educated tentmaker. It was the custom among the Jews,
the wealthy as well as the poorer classes, to train their sons and daughters to
some useful employment, so that should adverse circumstances come, they
would not be dependent on others, but would have educated ability to provide
for their own necessities. They might be instructed in literary lines, but they
must also be trained to some craft. This was deemed an indispensable part of
their education.
The testimony of Paul and Aquila is that by their occupation they were
tentmakers. While they preached the gospel, Paul and his companion wrought
at their trade as tentmakers, and in doing this they could give a more thorough
knowledge of Christ to those who heard them. They labored that they might
obtain means for support....
In Corinth he [Paul] had lived and labored with Aquila and Priscilla,
instructing them more perfectly in the truth. The great apostle was not
ashamed or afraid of work, and he did not treat this subject as in any way
lowering to his work in the ministry....
The custom of supporting men and women in idleness by private gifts or
church money encourages them in sinful habits, and this course should be
conscientiously avoided. Every man, woman, and child should be educated to
do practical, useful work. All should learn some trade. It may be tentmaking,
or it may be business in other lines; but all should be educated to use the
members of their body to some purpose, and God is ready and willing to
increase the adaptability of all who will educate themselves to industrious
habits.
If a man in good physical health has property, and has no need of entering
into employment for his own support, he should labor to acquire means that he
may advance the cause and work of God. He is to be “not slothful in business;
fervent in spirit; serving the Lord” (
Romans 12:11
). God will bless all who
will guard their influence in regard to others in this respect.—
Manuscript 93,
July 13, 1899,
.
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