Is a person allowed to miss services because of their job?

Question:

Is there any proof in the Bible that forsaking the assembly of the saints is acceptable if one's job requires him to work? I think self-employed people sometimes use this as an excuse which is wrong. But what about companies, or police, or fire, and nurses? I know the head of the family, the man, has to support his family but forsaking is forsaking the assembly. I say there is no authority for missing except for a sickness that prohibits it or a person confined to home or a hospital. Please advise and if applicable, please list verses to support if it's OK.

Answer:

This is interesting. You stated, "I say there is no authority for missing except a sickness that prohibits it or a person confined to home or a hospital." I would like to know what passage in the Bible you used to draw that conclusion.

Question:

There is not one. What I mean is there is no excuse at all. Unless someone is physically unable or suffering a major sickness, I can't see any reason at all.

Thanks.

Answer:

So we condemn one group while excusing another based on an opinion regarding whether their reason is good enough? Such is dangerous ground. "Who are you to judge another's servant? To his own master he stands or falls. Indeed, he will be made to stand, for God is able to make him stand" (Romans 14:4). Decisions like this must be left up to what the Master says, not what you or I think.

In case it isn't clear, attendance is essential for all Christians. See Commands in Conflict. An illness that might stop you from attending may not stop me. But what we both agree is that we both don't want things of this world interfering with our worship of the Lord and stopping us from having a chance to be with our brethren.

Thus, I teach and practice what ought to be. When someone is missing, I talk to them and encourage them to come. When they offer excuses, I try to suggest some alternatives so they can make it. But the judgment I leave in the hands of the Lord because I can only go by what he said and not by what he has not said.

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