Avoid Idleness
2 Thessalonians 3:6 Now we command you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you keep away from any brother who is walking in idleness and not in accord with the tradition that you received from us.
Paul writes to the church at Thessalonica to beware of idleness. His statement is pretty straightforward. We are not to associate with idleness of any form. But does that seem a bit harsh? Let's keep reading. Does he really want us to not have anything to do with people who are lazy or just unwilling to work? Is he talking about work at all, or just doing the work of the gospel?
2 Thessalonians 3:7 For you yourselves know how you ought to imitate us because we were not idle when we were with you, 8 nor did we eat anyone’s bread without paying for it, but with toil and labor we worked night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you.
Paul worked for his food. He would often mention tent-making as his profession to support himself. Other times he would mention that he didn't take any money from people because he was able to support himself. He wanted that money used to support their local pastor instead.
Why was that? He simply did not want them to feel burdened over him. The same is true for us, we shouldn't want to be idle and be a burden to others around us. Let's keep reading.
2 Thessalonians 3:9 It was not because we do not have that right, but to give you in ourselves an example to imitate. 10 For even when we were with you, we would give you this command: If anyone is not willing to work, let him not eat. 11 For we hear that some among you walk in idleness, not busy at work, but busybodies. 12 Now such persons we command and encourage in the Lord Jesus Christ to do their work quietly and to earn their own living.
Paul continues by reminding them that as an Apostle, he might have had the same right as the local Pastors, accepting money from them, but he decided to become a living example of how he wants them to be in their everyday life. He wants them to work and earn money to buy their own food and other things. He doesn't want them taking charity to live. To cap this all off, he tells them that if anyone isn't willing to work and earn their keep, they shouldn't eat. That sounds harsh, but is it? It isn't up to us to make sure everyone who is idle is able to eat and have shelter. It isn't up to us to make sure that idle people around us can have the latest electronics and free services.
I also want to caution that we are to help those who are not able. They are not necessarily idle, but rather they just need genuine help. That help can look like a lot of things. This is also not an excuse for the idle to label themselves in a certain category and remain idle with excuses. They are just simple excuses at that point. Excuses that we should ignore.
On top of that, this is a command that is given to us by Jesus through his instructions given to the Apostles. All that Paul taught and commanded was not of his own ideas, but those ideas he received from Jesus Christ. Paul was a human too. He had human, selfish desires from his flesh. He could have easily used his position to freeload but instead chose to do what God asked him to and work for his food.
2 Thessalonians 3:13 As for you, brothers, do not grow weary in doing good. 14 If anyone does not obey what we say in this letter, take note of that person, and have nothing to do with him, that he may be ashamed. 15 Do not regard him as an enemy, but warn him as a brother.
The final piece of these instructions is to simply keep moving forward, have nothing to do with idle people, but don't make them your enemy. Simply warn them about idleness and encourage them to start moving.
Are you idle?
Are you working for your money and supporting yourself?
Are you a burden to those around you and need to start working?
Pray about all of this. Ask God to help you find the next steps in your walk with Him. Repent of your idleness and ask God to help you find work. It might be difficult at first, but you'll find your path. In the end, you'll feel better.
Pastor Dan Joseph
Paul writes to the church at Thessalonica to beware of idleness. His statement is pretty straightforward. We are not to associate with idleness of any form. But does that seem a bit harsh? Let's keep reading. Does he really want us to not have anything to do with people who are lazy or just unwilling to work? Is he talking about work at all, or just doing the work of the gospel?
2 Thessalonians 3:7 For you yourselves know how you ought to imitate us because we were not idle when we were with you, 8 nor did we eat anyone’s bread without paying for it, but with toil and labor we worked night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you.
Paul worked for his food. He would often mention tent-making as his profession to support himself. Other times he would mention that he didn't take any money from people because he was able to support himself. He wanted that money used to support their local pastor instead.
Why was that? He simply did not want them to feel burdened over him. The same is true for us, we shouldn't want to be idle and be a burden to others around us. Let's keep reading.
2 Thessalonians 3:9 It was not because we do not have that right, but to give you in ourselves an example to imitate. 10 For even when we were with you, we would give you this command: If anyone is not willing to work, let him not eat. 11 For we hear that some among you walk in idleness, not busy at work, but busybodies. 12 Now such persons we command and encourage in the Lord Jesus Christ to do their work quietly and to earn their own living.
Paul continues by reminding them that as an Apostle, he might have had the same right as the local Pastors, accepting money from them, but he decided to become a living example of how he wants them to be in their everyday life. He wants them to work and earn money to buy their own food and other things. He doesn't want them taking charity to live. To cap this all off, he tells them that if anyone isn't willing to work and earn their keep, they shouldn't eat. That sounds harsh, but is it? It isn't up to us to make sure everyone who is idle is able to eat and have shelter. It isn't up to us to make sure that idle people around us can have the latest electronics and free services.
I also want to caution that we are to help those who are not able. They are not necessarily idle, but rather they just need genuine help. That help can look like a lot of things. This is also not an excuse for the idle to label themselves in a certain category and remain idle with excuses. They are just simple excuses at that point. Excuses that we should ignore.
On top of that, this is a command that is given to us by Jesus through his instructions given to the Apostles. All that Paul taught and commanded was not of his own ideas, but those ideas he received from Jesus Christ. Paul was a human too. He had human, selfish desires from his flesh. He could have easily used his position to freeload but instead chose to do what God asked him to and work for his food.
2 Thessalonians 3:13 As for you, brothers, do not grow weary in doing good. 14 If anyone does not obey what we say in this letter, take note of that person, and have nothing to do with him, that he may be ashamed. 15 Do not regard him as an enemy, but warn him as a brother.
The final piece of these instructions is to simply keep moving forward, have nothing to do with idle people, but don't make them your enemy. Simply warn them about idleness and encourage them to start moving.
Are you idle?
Are you working for your money and supporting yourself?
Are you a burden to those around you and need to start working?
Pray about all of this. Ask God to help you find the next steps in your walk with Him. Repent of your idleness and ask God to help you find work. It might be difficult at first, but you'll find your path. In the end, you'll feel better.
Pastor Dan Joseph
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