No Work – No Eat

No Work – No Eat

Couch potatoes are not very productive

Paul said, “If a man does not work he shall not eat.”

I found several reasons why people will not work…

They are the lazy, fearful, and weak.

No matter the reason – idleness is not healthy.

People who are idle tend to have

too much time to think on the wrong things.

I asked a man to join a group of us

to help out a family in need.

He told me if someone saw him work

he could lose his military disability benefits.

This man was always depressed

and spending time in an unhealthy addiction.

He was always asking for prayer,

but what he needed was work;

doing something to make life productive.

I knew another man who had a great mind

and used it to talk his way out of everything.

When he did work, he played around

and did not take it serious.

He’s a nice guy, but he will live

with mommy and daddy all his life.

I have met many

who are afraid of the job interview;

stepping out into a new environment

can be very intimidating.

Then there are those who have physical

and mental limitations.

(To some degree that is all of us.)

I am glad we have governmental assistance,

but it has never been the answer.

Paul says,

“We should warn the idle.”

Idle people need encouragement

to help them live productive lives.

If we have done everything

to encourage them

and a person will not work,

we may have to let them go hungry.

There is a time to feed the hungry

and give an alms gift.

But helping people live productive lives,

is the goal.

Scripture Reading

2 Thessalonians 3:1-17 NIV

1 Finally, brothers, pray for us that the message of the Lord

may spread rapidly and be honored, just as it was with you.

2 And pray that we may be delivered

from wicked and evil men, for not everyone has faith.

3 But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen

and protect you from the evil one.

4 We have confidence in the Lord that you are doing

and will continue to do the things we command.

5 May the Lord direct your hearts into God's love

and Christ's perseverance.

6 In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ,

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.

7 For you yourselves know how you ought to follow our example.

We were not idle when we were with you,

8 nor did we eat anyone's food without paying for it.

On the contrary, we worked night and day,

laboring and toiling so that we would not be a burden to any of you.

9 We did this, not because we do not have the right to such help,

but in order to make ourselves a model for you to follow.

10 For even when we were with you, we gave you this rule:

"If a man will not work, he shall not eat."

11 We hear that some among you are idle.

They are not busy; they are busybodies.

12 Such people we command and urge in the Lord Jesus Christ

to settle down and earn the bread they eat.

13 And as for you, brothers, never tire of doing what is right.

14 If anyone does not obey our instruction in this letter,

take special note of him.

Do not associate with him, in order that he may feel ashamed.

15 Yet do not regard him as an enemy, but warn him as a brother.

16 Now may the Lord of peace himself

give you peace at all times and in every way.

The Lord be with all of you.

17 I, Paul, write this greeting in my own hand,

which is the distinguishing mark in all my letters. This is how I write.   

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.