Working It

There are those who are unable to work but want to, and then there are the others.

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. For we hear that some of you are living in idleness, mere busybodies, not doing any work. Now such persons we command and exhort in the Lord Jesus Christ to do their work quietly and to earn their own living. Brothers and sisters, do not be weary in doing what is right. Take note of those who do not obey what we say in this letter; have nothing to do with them, so that they may be ashamed. Do not regard them as enemies, but warn them as believers. Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times in all ways. The Lord be with all of you. I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand. This is the mark in every letter of mine; it is the way I write. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with all of you. - 2 Thessalonians 3:6-18

We all know people who choose not to work hard.  They may see things that need to be done, but do not do them, waiting for someone to tell them to do them, or for someone who will do them himself.

Now, those who work hard may resent those who don't.  And we could interpret this passage as justification for us not giving to help the needy.   But Paul's message is not for the poor who struggle to make ends meet.  It is for those who have chosen to be followers of The Way, who choose to remain idle, taking advantage of the communal lifestyle the members adopted.

And it could apply as well to us when we have a job and choose not to work hard at it.

Paul advises us to avoid those who approach their work that way.  Have nothing to do with them, he says.  That way, we don't wind up comparing ourselves to them.  

We should not imitate them.  Instead, we should warn them.  And we should be proud that we do an honest day's work and can pay for what we need.

Then, for those who cannot do as we do, we offer help.

Let the lazy fend for themselves?  Maybe.

More to come...