Our society has produced a large number of people who expect others to provide for them. While there are certainly some with legitimate needs, many abuse the kindness of others and demand help rather than helping themselves. Young people grow up, yet continue to live at home and be supported by their parents because they do not want to move out and support themselves. Families remain on welfare from one generation to another because it is easier to receive a modest living for free than to work hard for a decent living. Americans, in general, have grown dependent upon the government for education, retirement, and health care. This mentality is everywhere in our society. But is this what God expects from His people?
After Joshua led the Israelites into the promised land, the land was divided up between the tribes. The tribes of the sons of Joseph, Ephraim and Manasseh, were unhappy with their allotment. So they demanded something more or different than what they received.
“Then the sons of Joseph spoke to Joshua, saying, ‘Why have you given me only one lot and one portion for an inheritance, since I am a numerous people whom the Lord has thus far blessed?’
“Joshua said to them, ‘If you are a numerous people, go up to the forest and clear a place for yourself there in the land of the Perizzites and of the Rephaim, since the hill country of Ephraim is too narrow for you.’
“The sons of Joseph said, ‘The hill country is not enough for us, and all the Canaanites who live in the valley land have chariots of iron, both those who are in Beth-shean and its towns and those who are in the valley of Jezreel.’
“Joshua spoke to the house of Joseph, to Ephraim and Manasseh, saying, ‘You are a numerous people and have great power; you shall not have one lot only, but the hill country shall be yours. For though it is a forest, you shall clear it, and to its farthest borders it shall be yours; for you shall drive out the Canaanites, even though they have chariots of iron and though they are strong’” (Joshua 17:14-18).
The lot in the hill country of Ephraim was not enough for these people. Joshua acknowledged this, but Joshua and the sons of Joseph had two different concepts about how they could obtain the land they needed. The sons of Joseph were upset because Joshua did not provide enough for them. Joshua told them to go take for themselves what they required for their people. There would be work to do (clearing trees and expelling hostile peoples), but the sons of Joseph were expected to provide for themselves since they were able to do so.
Work to Provide for Yourself
Many people have developed the mindset of the sons of Joseph. If they do not have what they want (house, car, job, retirement, health insurance, etc.), they expect others to do something to provide these things for them (parents, brethren, civil authorities, etc.). Again, there are certainly circumstances that arise in which one will have a legitimate need; but many simply do not want to do the hard work of providing for themselves.
Joshua told the sons of Joseph to take the land that was there for them – clear the forest and drive out the inhabitants. Would this be a lot of work? Absolutely! But they were capable of doing this; therefore, they were expected to do it.
This principle of self-sufficiency is taught in the New Testament as well. We are to take care of ourselves without requiring help from others unless it is absolutely necessary. Notice Paul’s instructions to the brethren in Thessalonica:
“For you yourselves know how you ought to follow our example, because we did not act in an undisciplined manner among you, nor did we eat anyone’s bread without paying for it, but with labor and hardship we kept working night and day so that we would not be a burden to any of you; not because we do not have the right to this, but in order to offer ourselves as a model for you, so that you would follow our example.
“For even when we were with you, we used to give you this order: if anyone is not willing to work, then he is not to eat, either” (2 Thessalonians 3:7-10).
Paul told the brethren to follow his example. What was Paul’s example? He worked hard, even working night and day, in order that he would not be a burden. He noted that he did have the right to receive support from them (cf. 1 Corinthians 9:14), but he refused in order to show them an example. It may take hard work and long hours, but we are expected to provide for ourselves without being a burden to others.
What if one does not want to do this? Sure, there are some who cannot do this, but that was not what Paul was addressing here. There were some who could do this, but were unwilling to do so. What about these individuals? Are we under the obligation to help those who refuse to work harder or longer in order to take care of themselves? Paul said no: “If anyone is not willing to work, then he is not to eat, either.”
Christians are to rise above the level of society because we follow a different standard. We are told, “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed” (Romans 12:2). We are to follow God’s will over cultural norms in every aspect of our lives, including the work we do in providing for ourselves.
What if a man works forty hours a week (which our society has determined is a full-time job), but is unable to afford his house payment, car payment, health insurance, groceries, etc. What is he to do? For many, the answer is to seek assistance (parents, friends, brethren, the government). Is that the best answer? Or are we to follow the example of Paul: “Working night and day so that we would not be a burden to any of you”?
Having the willingness to do this type of hard work is a serious matter. Paul told Timothy, “If anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever” (1 Timothy 5:8). Men, we need to provide for our families. Even if it might mean taking a second job – or even a third job – it is important that we do it. Paul said it is a matter that pertains to our faith.
Learn to Be Content
It is also important that we learn contentment. We will not always be able to keep up with those around us and we should not expect to do so. Paul told the brethren in Philippi, “I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need” (Philippians 4:11-12).
Elsewhere, Paul wrote, “If we have food and covering, with these we shall be content” (1 Timothy 6:8). Yet our society has taught us that even with much more than this we still cannot be content. There are many things in our life that we do not need. Instead of burdening others in order to meet the standard of living to which we have become accustomed, perhaps we simply need to be content with less.
Conclusion
Providing for oneself and one’s family will take work. Often the work is hard. Sometimes the hours are long. In doing this, we may still have to do without some things that people around us think are so important. It might be easier to be a burden to others; but as God’s people, we are not to be such if we are able to prevent it.
For those who are willing, but unable to provide for themselves, there is nothing wrong with being helped. It is good and necessary for those who are able to help such individuals (Galatians 6:10; Ephesians 4:28). Like Paul, we should be “eager” to help the poor (Galatians 2:10).
As we consider all of these points, let us remember that we are under God’s standard, not the norms of our society today.
