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2 Thessalonians 3:6-13 – Now we command you, brothers, in the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you keep away from any brother who is walking in idleness and not in accord with the tradition that you received from us. For you yourselves know how you ought to imitate us, because we were not idle when we were with you, nor did we eat anyone’s bread without paying for it, but with toil and labor we worked night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you. It was not because we do not have that right, but to give you in ourselves an example to imitate. For even when we were with you, we would give you this command: If anyone is not willing to work, let him not eat. For we hear that some among you walk in idleness, not busy at work, but busybodies. Now such persons we command and encourage in the Lord Jesus Christ to do their work quietly and to earn their own living. As for you, brothers, do not grow weary in doing good.
“I don’t want to be a burden to anyone.” Did you ever hear anyone say that? Most of us understand this feeling all too well—to the point that we refuse to relax and be grateful for the care of others, even when we clearly need it! We insist on working, even when everyone around us can see that we’re killing ourselves with the effort—because we’re terrified of becoming a burden to others.
But maybe we need to re-examine that idea. Because Paul mentions it as a bad thing, not for everyone in every possible situation, but for a very specific group of people: busybodies who are not willing to work, though they can, and there’s nothing to stop them. Such people should work, because they’re using their illegitimate free time to make trouble—meddling in the business of others, spreading gossip, and the like. They are holding back the growth of the church, which is forced to carry them when they themselves ought to be carrying others. They are also failing to mature in Christ.
But Paul isn’t talking to us if we don’t fit that profile! He’s not talking to the very old or very young; the disabled; the sick; the over-worked; or those who are grieving or seeking work or dealing with some emergency. If we fall into those categories, we need to learn to sit down and accept the care God provides to us through our families, friends, and the church. It’s a real problem if we refuse out of pride or because we’re terrified to lose the identity we’ve built for ourselves based on our work.
Our Lord Jesus became our Savior because He loved us. He suffered, died, and rose again to make us forgiven children of God, people whose worth is built, not on what they do, but on who they belong to—that is, God. God made us so He could love us, and He redeemed us for the same reason. Your work, or lack of it, is not why you exist; you exist for Jesus to love.
WE PRAY: Dear Lord, help me to really understand and believe that You love me not for what I do but because that’s the way You are. Amen.
This Daily Devotion was written by Dr. Kari Vo.
Reflection Questions:
- Do you tend to work too much or too little?
- When did Jesus rely on the care of others to support Him? Name two or three times.
- Would God love you if you could do absolutely nothing?
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