For you yourselves know how you ought to follow us, for we were not disorderly among you; (8) nor did we eat anyone’s bread free of charge, but worked with labor and toil night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you, (9) not because we do not have authority, but to make ourselves an example of how you should follow us. (10) For even when we were with you, we commanded you like this: If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat. (11) For we hear there are some who walk among you in a disorderly manner, not working at all, but are busybodies. (12) Now those who are such we command and exhort through our Lord Jesus Christ that they work in quietness and eat their own bread

The Second letter to the Thessalonians was written by the apostle Paul. In our verses today he had written them – not for the first time – that work is God given. There is a dignity in work and it’s a character issue here. They are to practice self discipline and self control and use their time wisely. Paul uses himself as an example; he had the apostolic right to maintenance – to not have to work outside of his ministry – but set that aside to provide an example to new believers. He became an example of financial integrity. Many of the Thessalonians did not work and they were spreading gossip and possibly false teaching and this caused tensions in the church and bore bad witness to outsiders/unbelievers.

Probably these Thessalonians had mistaken notions concerning the near approach of the second coming of the Lord, which served as a pretense to leave off work of his/her calling and live in idleness and gossip. The imminent second coming of Christ was not equated with “soon” and was a perversion of Paul’s teaching. We Christians must do the work of the day in the day that all may be ready when he comes. Perhaps the general charity of that day encouraged some of the poor brethren to live in idleness knowing the church would maintain them. Paul felt if men did not work – and were able to work – “neither should they eat.” Paul had the authority to rebuke and correct the idle – and if men acted irresponsibly there should be consequences; to enable them is not loving. We are not responsible to support the unruly brother who refuses to respond to correction with the caveat that we don’t stop helping those with legitimate needs.

When my husbands youngest son came to live with us and work at his new job I got a call from one of his friends. When I told him Fritz was working we said goodbye. The next day this same friend called and when I told him Fritz was at work his response was: “Again?” My thoughts go to genuine saving faith which is never alone. God changes our hearts which necessitates our change of behavior.

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