Journey Through The Bible
     Old Testament Reading: Obadiah
     New Testament Reading: 2 Thessalonians 3

In fact, when we were with you, this is what we commanded you: “If anyone isn’t willing to work, he should not eat.” For we hear that there are some among you who are idle. They are not busy but busybodies. Now we command and exhort such people by the Lord Jesus Christ to work quietly and provide for themselves. But as for you, brothers and sisters, do not grow weary in doing good (2 Thessalonians 3:10-13).

Some members of the Thessalonica church had misinterpreted Paul’s teaching about the return of Christ, left their jobs, and were living off the generosity of the church. They were idle while others were working, yet they expected the church to support them.

Misinterpretations and misapplications of the truths of God’s Word can cause endless trouble. History records the foolishness of people who set dates, sold their possessions, and sat on mountains, waiting for the Lord to return. Any teaching that encourages us to disobey another divine principle is not Bible teaching.

Jesus told the Pharisees, “You worship me in vain, teaching as doctrines human commands. Abandoning the command of God, you hold on to human tradition.” He also said to them, “You have a fine way of invalidating God’s command in order to set up your tradition!” (Mark 7:7-9).

Labor was part of man’s life before sin entered the scene. God placed Adam in the garden of Eden to work it and watch over it (Gen 2:15). Although sin turned labor into an almost hopeless toil (Gen 3:17-19), it must never be thought that the necessity for work results from sin. Man needs to work for fulfillment in his own person. God created him to work!

Have you noticed that God called people who were busy at work? Moses was caring for sheep. (Ex 3) Joshua was Moses’ servant before he became Moses’ successor (Ex 33:11). Gideon was threshing wheat when God called him (Judges 6:11ff). David was caring for his father’s sheep (1Sam. 16:11ff). Our Lord called four fishermen and a tax collector to serve as His disciples. Paul was a tentmaker.

The Jews honored honest labor and required all their rabbis to have a trade. But the Greeks despised manual labor and left it to their slaves. This Greek influence, plus their wrong ideas about the doctrine of the Lord’s return, led these Believers into an unchristian way of life.

Paul recognized the fact that some people could not work, perhaps because of physical handicaps or family responsibilities. So, he phrased his statement, if anyone isn’t willing to work. It was not a question of ability to work, but a willingness to work. When a Believer cannot work and is in need, it is the privilege of the church to help him (James 2:14-17, 1John 3:16-18).