Slacking Off
6. Stay away from all believers who live idle lives . . .
7. For you know that you ought to imitate us. We were not idle when we were with you. . . .
8. We worked hard day and night so we would not be a burden to any of you.
9. We certainly had the right to ask you to feed us, but we wanted to give you an example to follow.
10. Even while we were with you, we gave you this command: “Those unwilling to work will not get to eat.”
11. Yet we hear that some of you are living idle lives, refusing to work and meddling in other people’s business.
12. We command such people and urge them in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ to settle down and work to earn their own living.
13. As for the rest of you, dear brothers and sisters, never get tired of doing good.
14. Take note of those who refuse to obey what we say in this letter. Stay away from them so they will be ashamed. 2 Thessalonians 3:6-14
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Two work ethics are at odds in our culture today. One says that people should work hard for a living. The other says that people deserve the easy life. Why work when you can play, right?
These same work ethics were around during Paul’s day. So Paul addresses the real issue behind the bad work ethic—laziness. He not only condemns the bad ethic but gives the Thessalonians an example of what a good work ethic looks like. As you read, determine never to be lazy in the things of God.
Also in this passage, Paul asks for prayer, guarantees the authenticity of his letter, then says good-bye in his own special way.
Some people in the Thessalonian church were falsely teaching that because Christ’s second coming could happen any day, people should set aside their responsibilities, quit work, do no future planning, and simply wait for the Lord to appear. But their lack of activity led them into sin. These people became a burden to the church, which was supporting them. They wasted time that could have been spent helping others, and they gossiped (2 Thessalonians 3:6-11). They may have thought they were being more spiritual by not working, but Paul told them to be responsible and get back to work.
Being ready for Christ means obeying him in every area of life. Because we know Christ is coming, we must do everything we can to live in a way that will please him when he arrives.
Make the most of your talent and time. Cut out activities that only distract or make it harder for you to fulfill your responsibilities.
