And do everything you can to live a quiet life. You should mind your own business. And work with your hands, just as we told you to. Then unbelievers will have respect for your everyday life. And you won't have to depend on anyone (1 Thessalonians 4:11-12).

Christian charity always includes practical stuff like providing meals and offering transportation. Paul recognizes that this practice could be taken advantage of—some deciding to live off the largess of others. Folks among the lower social classes might take up residence on the estate of a wealthy Christian, expecting the well healed to provide for their wellbeing. That is one issue Paul addresses here.

There is also another. Since Christians expected Jesus to return real soon, some had decided to abandon the normal pursuits of life, such as paid employment, and were camped on a hillside. With their noses turned up to the sky, they spent the day singing Kumbaya and Swing Low Sweet Chariot.

They were creating a bit of a disturbance in the neighbourhood, expecting to be supplied with provisions and suggesting other Christians didn't have enough faith. As we might imagine, those who followed other gods, thought these Jesus followers had lost touch with reality. As a result, Christ's name was being discredited.

Whether one was camped on the hillside or illegally on some estate, without the normal pursuits of life these folks had too much time on their hands. As a result, they had begun to gossip and contribute their opinions into situations to which they had not been invited.

Paul recognizes that if the rule of love is to be effective, the rule of work must also be practiced. Christians must learn to live peaceably, not creating social disturbances. They must mind their own business not prying into what other people are doing under the guise of 'family' interest. And they ought to have paid employment or do something that will benefit society.

Outsiders, looking at a movement that claims Jesus is Lord of the world, will be interested to see what effect this claim has on behaviour. Healthy financial behaviour is one telling indicator of the fitness and integrity of a community. Of course, within the fellowship, those in need should be provided for. Recipients should make themselves useful in other ways.

These are not side issues, away from the real theological heart of the Christian gospel. If God has created a family in Christ, and if that family is based on and characterized by nothing less than self-giving love, these things are vital. Happy the church that discovers what love in practice looks and feels like. Equally blessed is the Christian community that contributes to the wellbeing of the society in which they live. So that our daily living may win the respect of outsiders and that we will not be unnecessarily dependent on anybody (4:12).

As you journey on, go with the blessing of God:

May God himself, the God who makes everything holy and whole, make you holy and whole, put you together—spirit, soul, and body—and keep you fit for the coming of our Master, Jesus Christ. The One who called you is completely dependable. If he said it, he'll do it! The amazing grace of Jesus Christ be with you! (1 Thessalonians 5:23,24,28 The Message)

A Sunday Sermon edition of Wilderness Wanderings! The text is Psalm 92. Dive In discussion questions are below for further reflection!

To see this sermon in the context of the worship service it comes from, find it here on YouTube. Or, head to our website to connect with the worshiping community of Immanuel CRC: immanuelministries.ca

DIVE IN

1. How do you begin your day?
2. What does God's love refer to?
3. How do you end your day?
4. What does God's faithfulness refer to?
5. Who are the foolish ones?
6. Who are the righteous ones?
7. Thanksgiving is an act of _____________ in an _______________ story.

I know, my God, that you test the heart and are pleased with integrity. All these things I have given willingly and with honest intent. And now I have seen with joy how willingly your people who are here have given to you (1 Chronicles 29:17).

David is making provision for the building of the temple. The people have given generously, and David praises God because everything they have given came from God in the first place. Yet David knows that God is concerned with more than the gift. God is concerned with the heart of the giver.

That is why David says, "I know, my God, that you test the heart."

People see what we do. Sometimes, they see what we give. They hear what we say. But God sees deeper. He sees the motives behind our actions. He knows whether our generosity comes from gratitude or from the desire to be noticed. He knows whether our service comes from love or from a desire for recognition. He knows the thoughts and intentions that no one else can see.

This verse is not meant to make us anxious about whether our hearts are good enough. David's confidence rests in knowing God himself. The God who examines the heart is also the God who gives grace to the heart. And this grace "teaches us to say "No" to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives" today (Titus 2:12).

There is something wonderfully liberating here. We do not need to impress God or impress other people. We can simply seek to serve him with "an honest intent," giving ourselves and what we have received from him back to him.

And notice David's delight: "you are pleased with integrity." God delights when his people respond to his grace with sincerity, gratitude, and wholehearted devotion. Our gifts may seem small; our service may seem ordinary. But when they are offered to God with a sincere heart, they are precious in his sight.

David and the Israelites gave generously, indicating that God had blessed his people with wealth. Many saints have observed that prosperity poses greater threats to our integrity than hardship. These tests are more subtle. Wealth lulls us into spiritual drowsiness, causing us to lose sensitivity to sin. We give in to selfishness bit by bit. We fall into a satisfaction and confidence in life that is based on our prosperity rather than on God.

If we are to remain faithful to our Lord, we must remain steadfast in obedience and humility before God. Prosperity can be a great test. Ask the Lord to give us the grace to be faithful in it.

As you journey on, go with his blessing:

May the peace of the Lord Christ go with you, wherever he may send you. May he guide you through the wilderness, protect you through the storm. May your day end with rejoicing at the wonders he has shown you. May you rest in his provision as he brings night, and then new dawn.