Work or Starve
God warns us to have nothing to do with the idle and disruptive, or does He? What does the Word actually say? Where some modern translations use the word “idle,” it might be clearer to say disorderly, unregimented, or out-of-line. The warning in 2 Thessalonians says to withdraw from fellow Christians (brothers from the same womb symbolically) who trample around, walking in circles, in a disorderly, undisciplined, fruitless way, and not according to the tradition delivered to them. Somehow the flavor of the original gets bleached a bit in translation to modern English. But what can we really learn from this passage about the meaning in the original language? To find out, we must continue reading.
Verse seven speaks of the example given to the reader as a counterpoint to the behaviors being called out by Paul. The example given states he behaved after a certain manner while with them. He wasn’t “idle,” didn’t eat anyone’s food as a free gift, but worked night and day, with pains and sorrow, to avoid being burdensome to others.
And then what does it say? Paul behaved this way not because he didn’t have a right to such help from those he served, but because he wanted to set a good example for them to imitate. The command he gave them was that if a person was not willing to work, neither should they eat. Production before consumption. Many methods to fulfill this command exist, mind you—as the word may mean laboring for pay, doing business, trading for profit, performing, crafting goods, and/or actively doing something of worth.
Paul then turns again to the example of those he would rebuke, that they lead undisciplined lives, accomplishing nothing, busying themselves in fruitless acts, and commands them to work productively with tranquility so they might enjoy their own share of God’s provision.
Turning back to a positive example again, Paul commends the readers never to weary in inspiring acts of good. He leaves them with a warning and command, hoping to turn these “idle” brothers from their sins. And that’s the end of the passage.
What do we take from these words? What lessons can we learn? Perhaps comparing bad and good examples can help clarify meaning for us.
Bad Examples:
Good Examples:
Our attitude, behavior, and treatment of others matters. We ought not rely on the daily bread God gives to others, but rely instead upon our own share of His daily provision. We ought to live in an orderly, quiet, and productive manner that inspires others to do good and do better. And if someone stumbles, we don’t ignore it; we don’t treat them like they were never a believer; we warn them severely of the dangerous path they’ve chosen for themselves, hoping they will return to the good and faithful Way. As hard as it will be for some to accept, peer pressure and shame can sometimes be a force for good in the world. Sometimes.
If the warning speaks to you, dear brother or sister, I urge you to consider your way this day. The Lord created you for a purpose and bought you at a high price. He created good works for you to do during your brief time beneath the sun. Not all of us can do the greater things, but we can all do some things. If something causes you to stumble into darkness, cast it off, put it aside. It is better to go into eternity maimed, than to be turned away for a sin habit. The Lord disciplines those He loves; therefore, live a disciplined life, in tranquility with others, working as for the Lord. Rather than focusing upon others, focus upon yourself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. Likewise, each soul has enough burden of its own. Fix your life, so that you may be able to help share the burden of others, rather than being burdensome yourself. Lighten the load; don’t add to it.
Have a blessed day.