The one who is unwilling to work shall not eat

"The one who is unwilling to work shall not eat," was a rule that was given to the Thessalonians by Paul in the end of 2 Thessalonians. In this context, Paul was simply saying that if you don't work, you won't eat. It makes sense right? Even today if we don't ever work we won't ever be able to eat because we won't be able to afford food. When we don't work for what we want we have to rely on others. If I never work for the things I want to achieve in this life than I will never get where I want to be and I will never be able to do what I want to do. I don't know about you but I really don't want to have to rely on other people my entire life.

Paul was writing to the Thessalonians warning them of idleness. Paul wrote: "In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, we command you, brothers and sisters, to keep away from every believer who is idle and disruptive and does not live according to the teaching you received from us." (2 Thessalonians 3:6) 

It's a little crazy to think that we are being instructed to keep away from the idleness and disruptiveness of other believers. I would make more sense if he was talking about the idleness and disruptiveness of nonbelievers, but that isn't the issue. Idleness is disruptiveness from other believers is toxic. We are a combination of the people we place ourselves around. If we place ourselves around those types of believers we will slowly begin to do the things they do, in other words we will begin to become idle and disruptive.

There is a need for each person to prepare for Christ's return by living rightly day-by-day. If we are ready, we won't have to be concerned about the preceding events or the timing of Christ's return. God controls all events. Our preparation is our hard work. The work we do now prepares us for Christ's return so what are you doing to prepare yourself? Are you learning the bible and all of the truths that are found in it? Are you expanding God's kingdom? Are you showing the love that Jesus showed?

I shared this the other day but it is fitting again for this post. "The imminent coming of Christ should never make us idle; we should be even more busy-living purely, using our time well, and working for his kingdom. We must work not only during easy times when it is convenient but also during difficult times. Christians must patiently watch for Christ's return and work for him while they wait."

The coming of Christ should never make us idle. We can't just stop what we are doing because Christ is about to return. When we aren't busy our minds begin to wonder. Idleness is the devil's workshop. When we aren't busy with what we are doing, think about the things that go through your mind in those times. Those things probably aren't the most pure.

It is a good thing that we don't know exactly then Christ will return. If we knew the precise date, we might be tempted to be lazy in or work for Christ. Worse yet, we might plan to keep sinning and then turn to God right at the end. Heaven is not our only goal; we have work to do here. Christians must keep on doing God's work until death or until we see the unmistakeable return of our savior.

Another thing that Paul writes is that we must never tire of doing what is good. We must never get so tired of going right that we quit. We can be persistent by making the most of or time and talents. Our endurance will be rewarded. How good do you feel when you do something that is good? I know for me I feel super good because Christ calls us to do those sorts of things.

I don't know how you look at the return of Christ...whether you are excited or scared. For me, I am so excited and I can't wait! Christ will return and bring total victory to all who trust in him. If we are ready, we need not be concerned about when he will return. We should stand firm, keep working, and wait for Christ. If you are scared or concerned than you probably just aren't ready yet? If you aren't ready, then the best way to get ready is to stand firm and keep working.

There is a different between working hard and being a busybody. A lack of activity can lead someone to sin. When we sin we can possibly become a burden to those around us. We end up wasting time that we could've used for helping others. That busybody feeling leads to the false thoughts of thinking that you become more spiritual when you are not working. A "busybody" is a gossip. An idle person who doesn't work ends up filling his or her time with less than helpful activities, like gossip. Rumors and hearsay are tantalizing, exciting to hear, and make us feel like insiders. But they tear people down. If you often find our nose in other people's business, you may be underemployed. Meaning, you aren't working but are just trying to find joy in other peoples minds and work. Look for a task to do for Christ or for your friends and family and get to work.

Being ready for Christ means obeying him in every area of your life. Because we know that Christ is coming, we must live in such a way that our faith and our daily practice will please him when he arrives.