Idle Times
It is said that idle hands are the devil's workshop.
Now we command you, beloved, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, to keep away from believers who are living in idleness and not according to the tradition that they received from us. For you yourselves know how you ought to imitate us; we were not idle when we were with you, and we did not eat anyone’s bread without paying for it; but with toil and labour we worked night and day, so that we might not burden any of you. This was not because we do not have that right, but in order to give you an example to imitate. For even when we were with you, we gave you this command: Anyone unwilling to work should not eat. - 2 Thessalonians 3:6-10
Today's reading chastises those who take from the community of faith without giving.
Don't be idle. Pay for what you eat. Paul tells the faithful to be an example for others as he has been an example for them, but what do we think about that?
Are we to limit what we do for others based on whether or not they choose to be idle?
That wouldn't apply to those who cannot work and cannot pay for what they eat, but what about the others, the ones who can and don't.
When there are too few jobs and too many unemployed, the answer is simple. We assume everyone wants to work and cannot find a job. But when jobs are offered and people choose to ignore them, what do we feel about that?
Paul calls the idle lazy, and perhaps some were, but for some who have been beaten down their whole lives, or who have no experience with work, something else may be going on.
I know some people who are living on assistance which is only available if they earn less than a certain amount per year. Many of them are willing to work part time, as long as they don't make too much.
The problem with that is they never get out of poverty that way, so they remain in need.
Others, though, have never worked, and perhaps no one in their family has ever worked. They may be trapped in fear. They think they can't, so they don't.
It is clear from today's reading that the first community of the faithful ran into the same problems we have today when we try to work out social solutions to inequity and imbalance. Some will be active and support the community, while others will ride.
What do we do about it? Do we help everyone, whether they offer to chip in or not?
Paul says the example we give matters, and maybe that is what community is all about. If those who choose idelenss see others volunteering to help, maybe they will develop a desire to do the same.
We know what will happen if we do nothing. Nothing will change.
So, rather than kick out those who are idle, I would suggest we invite them to help. It may change the way they think.
More to come...