2 Thessalonians 3:6-13
In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, we command you, brothers, to keep away from every brother who is idle and does not live according to the teaching you received from us. For you yourselves know how you ought to follow our example. We were not idle when we were with you, nor did we eat anyone’s food without paying for it. On the contrary, we worked night and day, laboring and toiling so that we would not be a burden to any of you. We did this, not because we do not have the right to such help, but in order to make ourselves a model for you to follow. For even when we were with you, we gave you this rule: “If a man will not work, he shall not eat.”
We hear that some among you are idle. They are not busy; they are busybodies. Such people we command and urge in the Lord Jesus to settle down and earn the bread they eat. And as you, brothers, never tire of doing what is right.
A Thought
Paul is writing to the church to keep away from brothers that will not live according to what they have been taught. “If a person will not work, he shall not eat” to me is meaning when a person is well-bodied, he should work, provide for his family, pay his bills and not expect the church to take care of them. When people have too much time on their hands, it is an open invitation to be in someone else’s business and given to gossip, which is a deadly poison in the church.
Our Prayer
Father thank you for making your church a body with many members working together to bring glory and honor to your name. Help us to all work together with the gifts and talents each of us have received from you to do your designed will for our lives. We desire to be awaken by your Spirit to be your witnesses filled with your love and mercy for others. We ask in Jesus’ name, amen.
