Work, work, and what for?

You have no doubt heard of the “Protestant work ethic.” Ephesians 4:28 is the “Christian work ethic.” We work not just to meet our own needs; we work to meet the needs of others. That’s a very different way of looking at work, isn’t it? The New Testament envisions the church as a family that takes care of its members. Not only spiritually, but physically and financially—in every way that a nuclear or extended family takes care of its own.—Frank Viola, Reimagining Church, electronic edition