S) "10 For even when we were with you, we used to give you this order: if anyone is not willing to work, then he is not to eat, either."
2 Thessalonians 3:10 (NASB)
O) Context is everything with this verse. I have often heard this verse as proof-text for political arguments, hardness of heart, or even an excuse for prideful ambition. While the warning is strong, but we need to remember four things: audience, example, community, and culture.
Audience - Paul was writing this to a church. This was given to admonish the believers not to be lazy, and especially, to not feel entitled because of the gospel. This is not an instruction to unbelievers.
Example - Paul notes earlier (v.8), that he and his group worked while they preached and spread the gospel (see also Acts 18:2-4). This brings us close to the point of this verse and the whole paragraph, anyway, which is that we should not associate with unruly or undisciplined brothers (vv.6-7). Specifically, this is about protecting the character of the church body, so we are honoring the name of Christ
Community - Maybe the most important piece of context to keep, is the historic assembly of the church body in the first century. When we read through Acts 2:37-47, we get a significantly different view of what church meant to the first century believer. There was a unity, an equality, a selflessness that has never been equaled. In the midst of that, there were apparently some freeloaders. There were people trying to take advantage of the generosity of others, as they lived in community but did not actually contribute in any way. They were active among the people (like the busybodies of v.11), but they were not active for the church. This would potentially create a financial burden to the church, and even worse, create a culture within the church of selfishness, where people showed up with nothing, and expected to be fed. Furthermore, on that point, this was about literally eating together with people, as they went from house to house sharing meals.
Culture - We must remember that the early Christians were isolated from the culture they grew up in, because of their faith. It was not the norm to be a believer. Most importantly, with regard to the above verse, their governments were pagan. There was no such thing as a "Christian nation," and there didn't need to be. So instructions like the one above, had nothing to do with legislation or politics. This was about a close-knit group of people who needed each other in order to persevere in their new-found faith.
A) In today's culture, the spiritual application is probably the most important, since church meetings are not what they used to be, with large groups of believers meeting over meals. Unfortunately, the church did very much become a consumer culture, both physically and spiritually. I'm afraid that might have been a result of the church becoming a political entity throughout Europe, but I don't want to digress. Physically, I must always be willing to work, a job and for the gospel, even if I'm not eating actual food that my church (or other believers) are providing. I must never allow myself to be so complacent, as to be content simply showing up to church service to "get fed," whether that's spiritual or physical. Physically, I must be willing to work (and the verse above isn't even where I would begin an argument for working). Spiritually, I have to be willing to feed myself (i.e., worship at home, study my Bible, pray, etc.).
Audience - Paul was writing this to a church. This was given to admonish the believers not to be lazy, and especially, to not feel entitled because of the gospel. This is not an instruction to unbelievers.
Example - Paul notes earlier (v.8), that he and his group worked while they preached and spread the gospel (see also Acts 18:2-4). This brings us close to the point of this verse and the whole paragraph, anyway, which is that we should not associate with unruly or undisciplined brothers (vv.6-7). Specifically, this is about protecting the character of the church body, so we are honoring the name of Christ
Community - Maybe the most important piece of context to keep, is the historic assembly of the church body in the first century. When we read through Acts 2:37-47, we get a significantly different view of what church meant to the first century believer. There was a unity, an equality, a selflessness that has never been equaled. In the midst of that, there were apparently some freeloaders. There were people trying to take advantage of the generosity of others, as they lived in community but did not actually contribute in any way. They were active among the people (like the busybodies of v.11), but they were not active for the church. This would potentially create a financial burden to the church, and even worse, create a culture within the church of selfishness, where people showed up with nothing, and expected to be fed. Furthermore, on that point, this was about literally eating together with people, as they went from house to house sharing meals.
Culture - We must remember that the early Christians were isolated from the culture they grew up in, because of their faith. It was not the norm to be a believer. Most importantly, with regard to the above verse, their governments were pagan. There was no such thing as a "Christian nation," and there didn't need to be. So instructions like the one above, had nothing to do with legislation or politics. This was about a close-knit group of people who needed each other in order to persevere in their new-found faith.
A) In today's culture, the spiritual application is probably the most important, since church meetings are not what they used to be, with large groups of believers meeting over meals. Unfortunately, the church did very much become a consumer culture, both physically and spiritually. I'm afraid that might have been a result of the church becoming a political entity throughout Europe, but I don't want to digress. Physically, I must always be willing to work, a job and for the gospel, even if I'm not eating actual food that my church (or other believers) are providing. I must never allow myself to be so complacent, as to be content simply showing up to church service to "get fed," whether that's spiritual or physical. Physically, I must be willing to work (and the verse above isn't even where I would begin an argument for working). Spiritually, I have to be willing to feed myself (i.e., worship at home, study my Bible, pray, etc.).
P) Father, thank You for grace. Thank You for making me able to work. Thank You for the understanding that I have, with my ability to learn. Thank You for providing work for my hands, that I can participate in providing food for my family. I know, at the core, You are our Provider. Help me to be humble, Lord. I want to see others with as much compassion and lovingkindness as possible. Help me to be an encouragement to brothers, believers, who are out of work. I have been unemployed, I know how hard it is. Help me to be bold, if I ever have to admonish someone for being unwilling to work, whether physically or spiritually. Help me to teach my kids to be willing to work, both physically and spiritually. I want to honor You with each day, and with my life. Help me to be generous with those in need. Let Your will be done. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.
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