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| Maybe?? |
No work = No food
Some have abused the
doctrine of work as an excuse not to help those in need. Others have ignored it
in favor of being generous and loving. The truth on the doctrine of work is
long enough that a book could be written on it and some have. Let's try to look
at verse 10 honestly.
I am not going to get
into the whole argument about the necessity of work. Yet I do see work was part
of God's original plan for mankind in Genesis. An examination of the afterlife in
Scripture shows work going on. Work isn't a bad thing, it's a good thing and
helps provide the things we need to survive.
Last week when we looked
at Joshua 5 when the children of Israel could provide for themselves the
miracle of manna ended. This, as does Paul's words here, is a reminder God
expects us to try and take care of ourselves when we can. If someone is able to
work to meet their needs, then the church shouldn't support them. Yes, God is
against helping the lazy.
However, this doesn't
mean we are off the hook for helping those, especially Christians (Galatians
6:10) who are unable to work or to find gainful employment. We need to be
careful making this judgment call. I know of one family who struggles
financially, but if they earn $1000 dollars a year more they lose their state
insurance and with the cost of another policy plus deductibles, it will cost
them over $10,000 a year. You just can't make that up easily. Are they lazy?
No, they are in a bad place.
It isn't easy to know
when to help and when not to, but there are times we need to do both. If you
have to err do it on the side of generosity.
2Th 3:1-18
(1) Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may have free course, and be glorified, even as it is with you:
(2) And that we may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men: for all men have not faith.
(3) But the Lord is faithful, who shall stablish you, and keep you from evil.
(4) And we have confidence in the Lord touching you, that ye both do and will do the things which we command you.
(5) And the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God, and into the patient waiting for Christ.
(6) Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly, and not after the tradition which he received of us.
(7) For yourselves know how ye ought to follow us: for we behaved not ourselves disorderly among you;
(8) Neither did we eat any man's bread for nought; but wrought with labour and travail night and day, that we might not be chargeable to any of you:
(9) Not because we have not power, but to make ourselves an ensample unto you to follow us.
(10) For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat.
(11) For we hear that there are some which walk among you disorderly, working not at all, but are busybodies.
(12) Now them that are such we command and exhort by our Lord Jesus Christ, that with quietness they work, and eat their own bread.
(13) But ye, brethren, be not weary in well doing.
(14) And if any man obey not our word by this epistle, note that man, and have no company with him, that he may be ashamed.
(15) Yet count him not as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother.
(16) Now the Lord of peace himself give you peace always by all means. The Lord be with you all.
(17) The salutation of Paul with mine own hand, which is the token in every epistle: so I write.
(18) The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen. The second epistle to the Thessalonians was written from Athens.
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