Excited about the imminent return of the Lord, several people in Thessalonica stopped working and started waiting. Which sounds pretty spiritual, except that they got hungry, and with no money for food, simply sponged off of everyone else in the church.

I can see how this quickly became annoying. Able-bodied, formerly employed people now showing up daily to partake of my good graces. The working church members grumbled, and their non-believing neighbors looked on with amusement. Strange religion where some work and others just quit and take advantage of their friends.

Paul clarified matters. The one who is unwilling to work shall not eat (3:10).

By turning away these busybodies (Paul’s description), their ensuing hunger helped motivate them back to their old jobs.

I knew of a man once who sold most everything he had, because he heard the Lord tell him to sell it all and give to the poor. Problem was he had a family, and they immediately joined the ranks of the poor and suffered as a result, falling into dependance upon family and church members. I’m not sure that’s the proper application of Jesus’s words to a rich young man.

Similar thought with Paul’s instructions. If you’re fit and able, go to work. Earn your keep and then share with others. Better for you, better for your family, better for your fellow church members, and better for those looking on and still deciding about following the way of Jesus.

2 Thessalonians 3 in week twenty-five of reading the Bible cover to cover

Photo by Adrian Swancar