2 Thessalonians 3:4-15
You know, sometimes when you decide to write one of these devotionals, you read and read and read and can't think of anything that you can possibly add to what the text says. That is how I feel as I write this—There is just so much clear teaching in this passage that I really don't have much to add.
Because of the Master, we have great confidence in you. We know you’re doing everything we told you and will continue doing it. May the Master take you by the hand and lead you along the path of God’s love and Christ’s endurance. Our orders—backed up by the Master, Jesus—are to refuse to have anything to do with those among you who are lazy and refuse to work the way we taught you. Don’t permit them to freeload on the rest. We showed you how to pull your weight when we were with you, so get on with it. We didn’t sit around on our hands expecting others to take care of us. In fact, we worked our fingers to the bone, up half the night moonlighting so you wouldn’t be burdened with taking care of us. And it wasn’t because we didn’t have a right to your support; we did. We simply wanted to provide an example of diligence, hoping it would prove contagious. Don’t you remember the rule we had when we lived with you? “If you don’t work, you don’t eat.” And now we’re getting reports that a bunch of lazy good-for-nothings are taking advantage of you. This must not be tolerated. We command them to get to work immediately—no excuses, no arguments—and earn their own keep. Friends, don’t slack off in doing your duty. If anyone refuses to obey our clear command written in this letter, don’t let him get by with it. Point out such a person and refuse to subsidize his freeloading. Maybe then he’ll think twice. But don’t treat him as an enemy. Sit him down and talk about the problem as someone who cares.
--2 Thessalonians 3:4-15 (Peterson, E. H. (2003). The Message: Colorado Colo.
Like I said, I really don't have any thing that I can add to this. I did notice some things about the passage though--at first glance, especially if you read this in a Bible with headings, it looks like this passage is all about people that are freeloaders. Primarily it is. Paul, quite bluntly, makes it very clear that we are to work if we are able, that we are not to be a burden on other people.
However, I was struck by how much more teaching there is in here. In one short passage, Paul, either in word or example teaches all of the following topics:
· Work diligently and don't be a burden on others
· Lead by example (don't tell other people what to do, without being willing to do it yourself)
· Don't to let able-bodied people take advantage of you.
· Take sin seriously but show grace when you confront others in love.
· Just because you have the right to something, doesn't mean you should take advantage of it.
Wow, it would have been a shame had I decided to topically write on being lazy, using this passage to back up that thought. My challenge to you is to read Thessalonians this week without placing any preconceived notions into the text. Read the text as if it were the first time you have opened the Bible. Ignore the section headings and commentary and just read the text with a clean slate (while praying and expecting God to speak to you there)—you will find there is a lot more there than you may think…
Mike
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