47:10 Don't Enable Lazy and Idle People! II Thess 3:7,10,14-15

The Apostle Paul had some strong words for lazy, idle Christians...people who are able to work but refuse to do so. Instead they mooch off the resources of others who have worked hard. He said that if they do not work that they should not eat!
Here's the passage: "...we command you, brothers, to keep away from every brother who is idle and does not live according to the teaching you received from us....For even when we were with you, we gave you this rule: "If a man will not work, he shall not eat..." II Thess 3:7 & 10

Why was Paul so "hard". First of all, the Apostle Paul was discipling a new church of Gentile believers who had just come into the faith. As a minister, he had every right to be provided for by these believers. Instead, he worked with his own hands in order not to burden them, even paying for his own food as he ministred to them! He was trying to set a good example. In the midst of this, they had Christians among them who refused to work and took advantage of the generosity of the saints! Paul didn't tolerate this and laid down the some "tough love"

His desire for the Thessalonians was that they grow into mature, responsible believers with a good reputation in the community. They could not do this as lazy Christians. In fact he says later in that same passage:
"Point out such a person and refuse to subsidize his freeloading...but don't treat him as an enemy. Sit him down and talk about the problem as someone who cares." II Thessalonians 14-15,The Message.

Let's Pray: Father are there areas in my life where I am lazy, unproductive and mooching off of other people? If so, help me to recognize these areas of slackness and become more industrious. Lord, am I enabling lazy people by doing for them what they should be doing for themselves? Help me to challenge them in love so that they can grow up into maturity and responsibility. In Jesus Name! Amen!