If anyone is not willing to work, let him not eat
Sun, 22 October, 2006: Today’s Bible readings.
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. 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. 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 has some harsh words for lazy Christians in the Thessalonian church. Work. If you don’t work, then you won’t eat.
What do we learn from this?
If anyone is able to take care of themselves and their family, they need to do so. Obviously, there are times when each of us have financial difficulties due to our employment or our health. There are times when we will need help from our brothers and sisters in the church. And we are called to help our fellow Christians in their hardships as well.
But it is a different situation if someone is able and has the opportunity to work, but they choose not to because they are able to live off of others. Such a person is presuming upon the generosity of his more industrious companions. Paul tells us that we should encourage this lazy Christian to get out and work rather than idle away his time getting into trouble. Help them by not helping them. Don’t give them support so that they will have to get busy to support themselves. In doing so, you really are helping them, because you are encouraging them to work quietly and to earn their own living.
Where is Christ in this passage?
Paul gives us this command in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. It is in His name and by His authority that we are to make sure our acts of mercy are done for people who need them and not for those who are lazy and are taking advantage of our generosity.
