Have you read the prequel to this post, please do, just so you get the flow.

Who are the labourers?

For we are labourers together with God: ye are God's husbandry, ye are God's building. (1 Corinthian 3:9)

Paul reveals, all appointed and anointed ministers of God are labourers of God. The apostolic ministry is unique, it requires a leaving all, physically too, to labour for the kingdom of God (Acts 6:2-4).

Every mature believer is in some form a labourer as he blooms into a fruitful garden. What you learn through the servants of God, must in turn be a blessing to those around you. Help others as you are helped in the work of the Lord. 

Paul writing to Timothy in 1 Timothy 4:12-16 is a command for all sincere young believers. 

We are called into this marvellous light to shine the light into the darkness. As we grow in the Lord, it is the nature of every believer to lift others up and grow in fellowship with fellow saints. Not only for fellow brothers and sisters, but also for those who are lost.

God can use anybody. But, nobody can be the anybody who God can use till they themselves walk in obedience to the Word of God. 

How should we labour?

Be like Elijah, the voice in the wilderness. In a time of great dearth of the Word of God, He was used as a powerful force to restore Israel’s faith in the Living God (1 Kings 18). He passionately obeyed God. Obedience is a necessary trait in labourers, more than any sacrifices they offer.

Do you know about Nehemiah? God used his burden for God’s people to rebuild the walls and gates of Jerusalem. Do you know how Nehemiah and his fellow brothers in the Lord laboured for the Lord?

And it came to pass from that time forth, that the half of my servants wrought in the work, and the other half of them held both the spears, the shields, and the bows, and the habergeons; and the rulers were behind all the house of Judah. (Nehemiah 4:16)

They had heavy opposition coming against them. Of-course, we do not need any literal weapons. This is a call for two kinds of ministries. A group that spends praying, while the others are out preaching the Word of God.

What are you labouring for?

Labour not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: for him hath God the Father sealed. (John 6:27)

We are called to labour for the kingdom of God; not become lost in building a career for ourselves in this world. Many are lost in their careers and use it as an excuse to only offer money rather than their time, God given talents and skills.

Heaven and earth will pass away, but the Word of God is forever (Matthew 24:35). Man wasn't created to live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God (Matthew 4:4).

Jesus is the bread of life. All those who come to Him will never hunger or thirst (John 6:35).

Why should we labour?

Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. (Matthew 11:28,29)

To receive rest for our souls. Not only will we receive rest as we labour for the Lord on earth, we will also enter into the eternal rest promised to those who lived faithfully till the end. 

I'll share the verse in full here, mentioned earlier, from 1 Timothy 4:12-16 to understand what's expected of all believers.

Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity. Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine. Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery. Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy profiting may appear to all. Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.