Text: 2 Thessalonians 3:6-10
Memory verse:
“But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me was not in vain; but I labored more abundantly than they all, yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.”
‭‭I Corinthians‬ ‭15‬:‭10‬

I once heard the story of two young men who both received prophecies about their future. The first man was to be rich and great and the other to be poor. Thus, the first man sat back and did nothing but waited for the fulfillment of the prophecy. The second decided that he would still do something about his life in spite of the prophecy. So, he went out of the village and far into the jungle where he began to farm. Many years later, there was great famine in the town and news came to the inhabitants that the man who left the village had plenty food. So they went to him to request for the supply of food and pleaded with him to come be their king, which he did. See how the prophecy was reversed. Laziness ruined the destiny of the first man.
“For even when we were with you, we commanded you this: If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat.” ‭‭(II Thes‬ ‭3‬:‭10‬).
Hard work is one of the greatest testimonies of our faith. Some believers try to hide their lazy attitude under the pretext of living in faith or serving God. What an error! Faith doesn’t exempt from hard work. The apostles frowned at this attitude then commanded, ‘no work, no food’ for lazy brethren.
As an undergraduate, even though my parents provided my fees, I earned extra income through growing and selling of ornamental plants. Most of the basic furnishings and electronics we used to begin our home were the business earnings during my national youth service year. While I served in the bank, I had a poultry, I was involved in interstate trading business and I was still the general secretary of the Christian Corpers’ Fellowship (Rom 12:11). Rather than labouring, lazy people depend on their father’s inheritance. Nothing guarantees poverty and shame like laziness.
Friends, don’t sleep away your destiny. Don’t waste your time and destiny chatting, gossiping, watching matches or movies. Find something productive to do.

Prayer points
1. Father, please help me to put your grace to hard work in my life in Jesus name.
2. Father, I receive your grace to confront every lazy attitude in my life in Jesus name.

Today’s declarations
1. Hard work is a product of grace and laziness is receiving God’s grace in vain.
2. Laziness frustrates prophecies, so I work hard for the fulfillment of the prophecy concerning my life and ministry.

Contact: pastor@thf.org.ng