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Hear the devotional here: https://anchor.fm/eradio-valverde/episodes/Do-Your-Part-e1qdrbh
6 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. 7 We showed you how to pull your weight when we were with you, so get on with it. 8 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. 9 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.10 Don't you remember the rule we had when we lived with you? "If you don't work, you don't eat." 11 And now we're getting reports that a bunch of lazy good-for-nothings are taking advantage of you. 12 This must not be tolerated. We command them to get to work immediately - no excuses, no arguments - and earn their own keep. 13 Friends, don't slack off in doing your duty. (2 Thessalonians 3:6-13 The Message Bible)
Every family has at least one. Every church has at least one. Every school, every organization, every friendship has at least one. And we're talking about those who don't do their part. They tend to gravitate towards advisor position or management positions that require little to no work. This version would say they're freeloaders. Word had made its way to Paul that some in the church were doing little to nothing in the work of the church. Paul responds by saying that he and his team taught these church members better, teaching them to pull their own weight, and to not sit around expecting others to take care of them. Quite the opposite for the team in that they worked their fingers to the bone, including being up half the night to lighten the burden of the church. The purpose of the Church is to promote teamwork in winning the world for Jesus. No one can do it alone, and it requires a team to complete the work. If one joins a team, they commit themselves to doing all that is required for the team to be successful. I will confess that when I tried playing high school football I loved the games, but hated practice. Doesn't make sense does it? To be good in the games, one must practice and through that process, become part of the team. Another thing I hated about practice in those days was having to gobble handfuls of salt tablets. Yes, I'm older than Gatorade, the drink invented to replace salt tablets; and where were you during those gosh awful days of salt tablets?
Serving the Lord is a fulltime job. If you don't believe me find your church's job description for your pastor. Ours is set forth in the Book of Discipline (or it was; I haven't bought a new copy since retirement). But it takes a lot to serve as pastor, and every pastor needs a team praying for him/her, and doing their part to serve the Lord. Every member also has a lot to do in sharing his/her faith, living their faith, and telling others about their faith. Paul had discovered that not all people who called themselves believers were actually workers. What a hurt heart must have been his when he heard some were actually freeloaders. Which brings up an interesting question: Are freeloaders born that way? Or, do freeloaders learn this? Either way, there's work to be done, and we all should share in doing it.
Paul and his traveling team members always set the example of being people of prayer, service, and all that was involved in being with them. Paul even was trained as a tent maker, so he supported his ministry and travels with all that he could make in getting a job with tent makers. So, you know the Apostle's work ethic and his sternness for those who do less. "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 work immediately - no excuses, no arguments - and earn their own keep. Friends, don't slack off in doing your duty." Amen.
I love our wise sheep friends in today's graphic. One lamb asks the other, "What about people who can't work?" The other lamb says, "They should be cared for. This isn't about that. It's about some who were claiming a place of privilege and rejecting their daily responsibilities. They were a disruption." The first lamb replies, "Got it. Say, can you spot me for lunch? I"m a little short."
The old Apostle is encouraging all to do their fair share. Yes, he sounds harsh, and he is more than likely angry at the reports he has been getting about the church in Thessalonica. He sounds like some Dads who love their sons and daughters, but have to be a bit stern about expectations and results. I regretted the times my Dad, very rightly said, "Son, you know better than that..." And I did, but I still had messed up. Paul's hope is that his disciples would correct their actions, right their course, and come in as victors on the team that wins.
PRAYER: Awesome God, bless all who need to hear Your loving correction about where we are, and where we need to be. Guide us to faithfulness, and strengthen us for faithfulness; in Christ Jesus we pray, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord! YOUR CALL TO ACTION: Encourage one another to shape up and do right!
Receive my blessings of joy and peace,
Pastor Eradio Valverde, Jr.
