8 .… nor did we eat anyone’s bread without paying for it, but with toil and labor we worked night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you. 9 It was not because we do not have that right, but to give you in ourselves an example to imitate.” (2 Thessalonians 3:8–9 (ESV)
The Apostle Paul continued his discourse against Christian idleness, laziness and irresponsibility. In 2 Thessalonians 3:7, Paul cited himself, Silas and Timothy as examples of hard work. In today’s text, he provided a specific illustration.
Paul reminded the Thessalonians how neither he, not his two companions, asked for a meal without paying for it. The three missionaries did not have an entitlement mentality. Unfortunately, some people in ministry expect other believers to not only provide for their needs, but also their wants. No matter how outlandish or extravagant the request, a new private plane for example, the church is expected to not question any such demands. The logical argument is these individuals are doing the Lord’s work and the church should pay for it.
Contrast the entitlement attitude of some in the ministry with Paul’s description of how he, Silas and Timothy worked night and day. This was so they would not be a financial burden to the church. It was not because the church shouldn’t pay them for being in full-time ministry (I Cor. 9:3-7; I Tim. 5:17-18), but rather the three men did not want to impose upon anyone in the church. Rather, they wanted to be examples to imitate.
“Christian theologians often look to the creation account to determine God’s will for humanity. What He commanded before the fall of man remains in force for all people and gives us a basic picture of what human society should look like when it is functioning properly. Among other things, the story of creation in Genesis 1–2 tells us that our Creator made us male and female in His image in order to work. Human beings were created to have dominion over the earth, to work and tend the garden of Eden and extend it around the globe (1:26–28; 2:15). Though difficulties have been introduced into our labor by the fall into sin (3:16–19), lawful work is inherently good, a purpose-granting gift from God whereby we may image Him by working just as He works (see John 5:17),” explains one commentator.
“Christians who are not kept from work by illness or disability and yet refuse to engage in lawful work are saying that the creation ordinance of labor is not the good gift of the Lord. Their actions call into question the benevolence of God in commanding us to work, and they upset the natural order of things. Importantly, one does not even need to know the Scriptures to understand that it is wrong for able-bodied people to live lives of idleness, for creation itself testifies that we should support ourselves through our labor.”
Colossians 3:23–24 (ESV) says, “23 Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, 24 knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.”
“Christians are to be kind and compassionate, helping those who are truly in need. At the same time, the church is no place of charity for the idle. We must seek to wisely assist those who cannot support themselves, especially fellow church members, but we cannot be enablers of those who can work but do not want to do so. As we give of our time and money to help others, let us seek to do so wisely, helping only those who are truly in need,” states Dr. R. C. Sproul.
May the Lord’s truth and grace be found here. Have a blessed day in the Lord.
Soli deo Gloria!
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