“But as touching brotherly love ye need not that I write unto you: for ye yourselves are taught of God to love one another. 10 And indeed ye do it toward all the brethren which are in all Macedonia: but we beseech you, brethren, that ye increase more and more; and that ye study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you; that ye may walk honestly toward them that are without, and that ye may have lack of nothing.” 1st Thessalonians 4:9-12

One aspect of brotherly love is VERY practical in nature. Paul instructs us to love and the end result is that all our daily needs are met.

When we think of our brother before ourself, we insure that all the members of our church will have all their basic necessities of life.

Paul’s instruction tells us to focus on our personal discipleship and responsibility. We are to practice serving God in every aspect of our lives including our secular professions. We have a primary responsibility to not only NOT be burden on society (through the welfare state) but to provide for ourselves and OTHERS.

This HONEST living goes beyond a desire to take care of oneself. God’s love moves in us, motivating us to look beyond our own needs and seek to help others in need.