Early believers didn't have jobs

Paul mentions church members having employment and even admonishes some members to get a job instead of mooching off others. He also mentioned how he earned his own way (as a tent maker) rather than asking for financial support from the church. He also tells church members to work for their employer as if working for the Lord.

Hey @Joined2krist

Interesting question.

I think the early church were living in an idyllic scenario. Consider this - if you lived in a village where all the food and water and possessions were free, shared and respected, what need would you have for a job? Other than tilling the land, what would you use money for?

We have been so heavily conditioned that the way of life is study all your youth, get qualifications and work a 9 to 5 until retirement. But this is not the way it's meant to be. Rather, that's the world's answer.

In fact the early church, for this short portion of time, was showing us the kind of peace and equality we have to come in New Jerusalem in the Messiah's 1000 year reign. What a peaceful time it will be!

Love & Shalom

Joined2krist said:

Acts 4:33-36, states that they sold their possessions and properties to feed and clothe themselves, why were they not encouraged to find jobs?

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They were expecting the Tribulation to come soon, as Peter declared in Acts 2:17-21. The cross was supposed to be Daniel 69th week.

So the best way to avoid temptation to take the mark of the beast, is to make sure you have as little private possessions as possible.

James would later "make fun" of the rich Jews for not doing that in James 5:1-6

There are seasons - times to work - times not to work.

However, at the end of the day we are always working for Him.

But the passage you refer to does not say they all stopped working - rather they shared what they had with those in need.

Sadly this is largely a lost love - almost unheard of today. Yet the kind of action that draws the attention of the world to the love of Jesus.

Would that we would return to this first love.

2 Thess 3:10
For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat.

There was/is a requirement to work. There would be those who were elderly, sick, disabled uable to do much work or not able to work at all who had needs to be met. The Apostles would not be giving away free things (welfare) to those who could work but were unwilling to work. There also appears to be some evidence that the economy at that time was in bad shape:
"Richard N. Longenecker points out the historical context of the early church in Jerusalem: “With the economic situation in Palestine steadily deteriorating because of famine and political unrest (cf. Jeremias, Jerusalem, pp. 121-22), employment was limited – not only for Galileans and others who had left their fishing and farming for living in the city, but also for the regular residents of Jerusalem who now faced economic and social sanctions because of their new messianic faith” (Expositor’s Bible Commentary, Vol. 9, Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1981, p. 310)."
Should Christians Have All Things in Common?

Butterball1 said:

2 Thess 3:10
For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat.

There was/is a requirement to work. There would be those who were elderly, sick, disabled uable to do much work or not able to work at all who had needs to be met. The Apostles would not be giving away free things (welfare) to those who could work but were unwilling to work. There also appears to be some evidence that the economy at that time was in bad shape:
"Richard N. Longenecker points out the historical context of the early church in Jerusalem: “With the economic situation in Palestine steadily deteriorating because of famine and political unrest (cf. Jeremias, Jerusalem, pp. 121-22), employment was limited – not only for Galileans and others who had left their fishing and farming for living in the city, but also for the regular residents of Jerusalem who now faced economic and social sanctions because of their new messianic faith” (Expositor’s Bible Commentary, Vol. 9, Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1981, p. 310)."
Should Christians Have All Things in Common?

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That only came about because Daniel 70th week has been postponed, with the fall of Israel and salvation made available for the gentiles (Romans 11:11)

MMXX said:

Paul mentions church members having employment and even admonishes some members to get a job instead of mooching off others. He also mentioned how he earned his own way (as a tent maker) rather than asking for financial support from the church. He also tells church members to work for their employer as if working for the Lord.

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^ This ^

Of course the early church had jobs. They might not have been the 9-5, 30-minute commute type of job we know as "jobs" today, but they did have to earn a living, whether by working for themselves (e.g. Paul above as a tentmaker, or the disciples - fishermen) or working in the employ of others.

The existence and mention of money is a fairly good clue they earned livings as well.

And the "selling of possessions" in Acts 2 also suggests most were able to earn decent livings - enough so that they had sufficient for themselves that they could also share with others (the passage doesn't imply they sold everything they had).

I can imagine in the infancy of the church that many members made building it up into a full time job and all pitched in together and pooled resources etc. That was also the case when the Tabernacle etc was being built and established.

Guojing said:

That only came about because Daniel 70th week has been postponed, with the fall of Israel and salvation made available for the gentiles (Romans 11:11)

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what had came about?

Butterball1 said:

what had came about?

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Paul revelation of the mystery found in Romans to Philemon

There were a few things going on back then. Outright massive persecution had not broken out quite yet, but it was clear that the authorities were against this new cult. They had thrown the man born blind out of the synagogue (Jn 9), and doubtless he was not alone. So some may have had employment problems, and it was about to get much worse.

But Acts 6.1 tells us that the purpose of the distribution was primarily for widows. Back then there were no social safety nets, and women seldom were able to be self-sufficient once their husband was gone. So there was a need to help those in need - widows, orphans, the disabled, etc. Thus the first seven deacons were chosen.

2Thess makes clear there was a general work ethic at play, but also that there was a need to remind some of it, because, as is the case today, some back then were struck with "Last Days Fever" and chose not to work. So Paul effectively tells the church, 'let them starve awhile, and see how they like it'. The beauty of the church doing charity is that it can discriminate between those deserving of help and those who are set on making bad choices.

Joined2krist said:

Acts 4:33-36, states that they sold their possessions and properties to feed and clothe themselves, why were they not encouraged to find jobs?

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What I learned from a very wise New Testament scholar: "when interpreting scripture keep five thing in mind: "context, context, context, context and context".
Where, when, who is writing, who is being addressed and why at this time and place?

Jews took pilgrimages to Jerusalem at least once in their lives. Passover being the very best time to be in Jerusalem and since it might be just a once in a lifetime experience Jews from far off places would stay the 50 days to Pentecost and leave after that, most would have run out of money by then, not expecting to stay longer.

This Pentecost and the 50 days leading up to this Pentecost has been extremely unique. People have seen dead people walking around and even some say this Jesus is walking around. Jesus’ grave is empty. Rumors are running rampant. Peter will say "you crucified Christ", so this crowd from all over the world must have also been there on Passover.

We know there was a huge crowd of pilgrims available on Pentecost from all over the Roman Empire. 3000 are converted on Pentecost alone and many more in the following days, but a lot would have been from distant cities. They would be out of money, yet needing to stay and learn all about Christ and Christianity (really need daily all-day classes), before returning.

It must have been a wonderful fellowship, learning experience, great news, and no time for work. They might have stayed longer, but Steven was stoned (not an apostle, but a member like themselves), so now is a good time to go home.

Guojing said:

Paul revelation of the mystery found in Romans to Philemon

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I'm still not certain of the connection you are trying to make between Daniel's prophecy and what I posted. Paul required one to work in order to eat. For man to work has been in God's plan from the beginning. In the garden of Eden, Adam & Eve were told 'tend and keep' the garden (Genesis 2:15) where it would not degenerate but continue to be productive. After being cast out of the garden they were to work by the sweat of their face for bread/food, (Genesis 3:19).

paul1149 said:

The beauty of the church doing charity is that it can discriminate between those deserving of help and those who are set on making bad choices.

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Interesting. I believe the Proverbs back this up with its distinction between the legitimate "poor and needy" and the fool/sluggard who end up poor due to bad character.

GOD Shines Forth! said:

Interesting. I believe the Proverbs back this up with its distinction between the legitimate "poor and needy" and the fool/sluggard who end up poor due to bad character.

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Yes, and this positive discrimination is something government programs do not do well.

Some in the early Christian church thought Jesus was coming back soon to rescue them from the oppression of the Roman occupation. Jesus had told his followers that that no-one apart from God knew the time of his return, but he taught them to make sure they were always prepared for it to happen.

1 Thes, 4:13. But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. Wherefore comfort one another with these words.

Mark 13:32 states that no one, not even Jesus, knows when He will return, save the Father.

We are to live as if He could return today, yet prepare for the long haul.

Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him, That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand. Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God. Remember ye not, that, when I was yet with you, I told you these things? (2 Thessalonians 2:1-5)

They worked and were commanded to.

2 Thes, 3:10. For even when we were with you, we commanded you this: If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat.

The scripture may be addressing a giving attitude not encouraging idleness.

The young man said to Him, “All these things I have kept from my youth. What do I still lack?” Jesus said to him, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.”

One characteristic of successful people is they can lose all they have and recover to become successful again. Or they can lose a job and find another because they are driven positively.

In context, Paul wrote "Instead, in toil and drudgery we worked night and day in order not to burden any of you. It was not because we do not have that right, but to give ourselves as an example for you to imitate." 2 Thessalonians 3:8b-9

Clearly Paul had the right to not work but chose to do so as an example to others. Taking the following verse out-of-context distorts Paul's message.

Joined2krist said:

Acts 4:33-36, states that they sold their possessions and properties to feed and clothe themselves, why were they not encouraged to find jobs?

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It doesn't say that read it again.