July 31
“Even when we were with you, we commanded you this: if anyone will not work, neither shall he eat. For we hear that there are some who walk among you in a disorderly manner, not working at all, but are busybodies. Now those who are such we command and exhort through our Lord Jesus Christ that they work in quietness and eat their own bread,” 2 Thessalonians 3:10-12.
From the beginning of creation, it was God’s will that people should work for a living. Adam and Eve were not created to be two idle people. The fact that we are expected to work is not because Adam and Eve sinned. Work existed before there was sin in the world. Scripture states, “The Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to tend and keep it,” Genesis 2:15. After Adam and Eve sinned, work lost its full joy. After they sinned, God said, “Cursed is the ground for your sake; in toil you shall eat of it all the days of your life. Both thorns and thistles it shall bring forth for you, and you shall eat the herb of the field. In the sweat of your face you shall eat bread till you return to the ground, for out of it you were taken; for dust you are, and to dust you shall return,” Genesis 3:17-19.
There are people who hate their work. They go to work each day with an unpleasant and unhappy feeling. Such people have several options: They can speak with other family members, or their boss, or supervisor, or some capable adviser to get at the real reason for their unhappiness; or they can look for a different job. They also should turn to the Lord in prayer, who promises to bless our work: “Let him who stole steal no longer, but rather let him labor, working with his hands what is good, that he may have something to give him who has need,” Ephesians 4:28.
In his message to the Thessalonians, the apostle is not speaking of people who, for good reasons, are unable to work – for example, poor health. He is specifically addressing people who are lazy and do not want to work. He is speaking of people who are capable of working, but who would rather stand in line and get handouts. Of such people, he says, “If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat.” According to God’s institution, work is the normal way to earn a living.
Today, we have the same complaint that Paul had: “There are some who walk among you in a disorderly manner, not working at all, but are busybodies.” He is addressing people who are not busy doing their work but instead are busybodies. As the expression goes, they have their noses in other people’s business. This is a natural instinct that is seen already in little children in the classroom. Often they will run around looking over the shoulders of other students and then fail to do their own work. Some people never seem to grow out of that childhood stage. They are always meddling in what others are doing. They need to be told, “Mind your own business!”
We must follow what the apostle Paul wrote to such people: “Now those who are such we command and exhort through our Lord Jesus Christ that they work in quietness and eat their own bread.” We need to tell such people to do their work quietly, mind their own business, and earn their own living. Then they will also be in a position to help others who really are in need.
There is an ancient proverb: An idle mind is the devil’s workshop. If many people would work, they would get into a lot less trouble! The work available for us might not always be what we would like, but for the time being it will enable us to have an income.
What should be the motivating force for working? We should be motivated by love for our Lord and for our fellowmen. Look at how the Lord Jesus worked to redeem us. Out of love for Him who first loved us and suffered and died to redeem us, let us live a dedicated life in service to Him and to others.
“Fill our souls with heav’nly light,
Banish doubt and cleanse our sight;
In Thy service, Lord, today,
Help us labor, help us pray.” Amen.