Image from idisciple.org
Hear Here: http://bit.ly/2CGwUPT
6 Now we command you, beloved, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, to keep away from believers who are living in idleness and not according to the tradition that they received from us. 7 For you yourselves know how you ought to imitate us; we were not idle when we were with you, 8 and we did not eat anyone's bread without paying for it; but with toil and labor we worked night and day, so that we might not burden any of you. 9 This was not because we do not have that right, but in order to give you an example to imitate. 10 For even when we were with you, we gave you this command: Anyone unwilling to work should not eat. 11 For we hear that some of you are living in idleness, mere busybodies, not doing any work. 12 Now such persons we command and exhort in the Lord Jesus Christ to do their work quietly and to earn their own living. 13 Brothers and sisters, do not be weary in doing what is right. (2 Thessalonians 3:6-13 NRSV)
Happy Wednesday dear Friend! Praying this finds you well and enjoying God's blessings. I pray the cold weather did not affect you in any way. And I hope you found ways to help those not as fortunate as us.
What kind of work ethic do you have? Not just towards your salary-providing activity, but towards all things? Are you a work-aholic? Or, a with-what-little-I-can-get-away-with kinda person? In this letter, Paul is addressing the practical problems he had seen and heard about; what we can call unemployed saints, or under-employed saints. Paul is shaking his head about those so-called believers who lived in idleness. The example Paul shared was that of a hard-working evangelist and a tent-maker! He always found ways to support his work and the work of the Lord by staying busy in all things, even the side hustle of making tents. And as the worked, his desire would be to have a positive impact on those who watched him and his dedication to all things. He paid for all he received either wih money or labor. And in this passage we find the oft-quoted verse, "Anyone unwilling to work should not eat." A verse used and abused for gain; the basis is that one should contribute to the wellbeing of all, especially doing their own part in getting personal provision. It can be easily taken out of context and it usually does, but Paul meant it as part of the next verse, "For we hear that some of you are living in idleness, mere busybodies, not doing any work." The recommendation was for them to do their work seeking not attention, but earning their living, and the closing, which sounds a bit better in today's photo above, "Never tire of doing what is good." Amen.
PRAYER: Lord, in a few days we will pause and do what we should do every day, and that is to count our blessings and thank You for them. You have shared much with us, and we pray that we might be driven to share more and do more, for You and for Yours. Forgive me the times I have not done as You would have liked, and grant me new opportunities to serve. This I pray in Christ Jesus' strong name, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord! Be an example worth imitating today and all days!
Blessings of love,
Pastor Eradio Valverde
