2 Thessalonians 3:9-12

2 Thessalonians 3:9-12

Not because we did not have a right, but rather in order that we ourselves should give an example for you all to imitate us.  For when we were also with you all, we were giving you all this command: if someone does not desire to work do not let them eat.  For we hear about some who live lazily in you all, while not working but while meddling in the affairs of others.  And we command and encourage people such as these in the Lord Jesus Christ in order that while living with a quiet manner they should eat their own bread.

Thoughts for Today

First Thought:

Today we continue on with the point that I began yesterday.  Again, we hear Paul speak about the fact that he had a right to live off of the people that he was discipling.  He could easily have charged them for his spiritual guidance.  But he didn’t – and he didn’t do it for a very specific reason.  Paul wanted to give an example of a person who worked in the community and gave spiritual direction for free.  Paul wanted to give the model of being able to support himself and thus disciple out of love rather than for financial gain.  I think that this is a powerful example to set before us, because most Christians in the world today are in a position of having to support themselves.  Most people who follow Jesus will not be able to charge others for their spiritual services.  Perhaps most importantly, though, it is a great example to set before people that we disciple out of our love, not for gain.

When you’ve been discipled, was it out of money or for financial gain?  What example does it give when our spiritual leaders make their living off of the people that they disciple?  Is this necessarily a bad example to give?

Second Thought:

Out of this comes a very stern command.  If you don’t work, you don’t eat.  In other words, provide for yourself.  Don’t be a burden on the greater community.  It is hard enough to gather together the necessary resources for a lifetime, there is no need to make someone else have to compensate for you.  In this light, we see that this command is actually about putting community ahead of yourself.  If we don’t work, we shouldn’t partake in the bounty of the community.

Why are directives such as this one helpful?  Do you think that this command should be applied in a black and white context?  What might mitigate such a command?

Third Thought:

Then Paul begins to address what happens when people don’t work.  With no work comes idleness.  With idleness comes all the free time in the world to gossip and meddle in the affairs of others.  With idleness we can become critical of other people and forget how hard they are working.  We become less likely to give them the benefit of the doubt.  With idleness comes disruption to community.  So Paul tells us that we should work so that we can live with a quiet mind.  He wants us to be able to live in peace, not in the feeding frenzy that comes with having too much time on our hands.

Have you ever been the victim of having too much time on your hands?  How do you react when you don’t have work to do that provides you with a sense of accomplishment?

Passage for Tomorrow: 2 Thessalonians 3:13-15