“Now we command you, beloved, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, to keep away from believers who are living in idleness and not according to the tradition that they received from us. For you yourselves know how you ought to imitate us; we were not idle when we were with you, and we did not eat anyone’s bread without paying for it; but with toil and labor we worked night and day, so that we might not burden any of you. This was not because we do not have that right, but in order to give you an example to imitate. For even when we were with you, we gave you this command: Anyone unwilling to work should not eat. For we hear that some of you are living in idleness, mere busybodies, not doing any work. Now such persons we command and exhort in the Lord Jesus Christ to do their work quietly and to earn their own living. Brothers and sisters, do not be weary in doing what is right.” 2 Thessalonians 3:6-13
We were a little late getting the kids up for school this morning. Better said, the kids took advantage of our tardiness in making sure they were up, given that they bear primary responsibility for getting up. But it was chilly in the house and warm under the covers so I can hardly blame them. In the nick of time, they were up and out and off to school.
Why do we get our kids out of bed in the morning? Why do we send them off to school each day? Because we want them to be successful. We want them to do their best, to be able to take care of themselves and make their own way through life. So we send them to school so they can learn what it takes to be successful in the workplace – to get to work on time, to follow instructions from superiors, to do good work without mistakes and deliver it on time, to get along with others, and to feel good about themselves because they made a contribution that matters.
I can’t imagine how to build a society that works without those kind of values.
The first time I heard the phrase – “Anyone unwilling to work should not eat.” – was in an American history class studying Captain John Smith and the Jamestown Colony settlement in the pre-colonial United States. Evidently, there were those in the fledgling attempt to gain a foothold in that new territory who weren’t doing their part. I don’t know if Captain Smith actually said those words but it is noteworthy that we were taught that he did.
The cultural values of the United States includes the expectation that everyone has something to offer for the good of all, that everyone is expected to use those gifts for the good of all, and that every able-bodied person ought to work to make their own living. Ambition, discipline and hard work is to be encouraged. Laziness or becoming a burden to society is to be discouraged.
This value system wasn’t invented in the United States nor is it particularly new. The Thessalonians evidently had problems with those unwilling to shoulder their portion of the work of the community. So does every human community. Certainly there is a place for remembering and rescuing those truly incapable of helping themselves – but we’re in trouble if the pendulum swings so far that the incentive leans toward giving up.
So the Thessalonians got tough with the busybodies, we got the kids out of bed, and work now awaits us all.
Let us pray: Dear Lord, thank you for the abilities and the gifts you have given to us that enable us to add value to the lives of others through our daily work. Forgive us for those moments of laziness or shoddiness in our work. Draw near to those who have lost their jobs or live with the fear that they might. Help us see the holiness in our daily callings and thus to live with gratitude. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Daily Devotions 
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