Go to work

For even when we were with you, we commanded you this: If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat. For we hear that there are some who walk among you in a disorderly manner, not working at all, but are busybodies. Now those who are such we command and exhort through our Lord Jesus Christ that they work in quietness and eat their own bread. – 2 Thessalonians 3.10-12

It is God’s plan that people work. It is not a necessary evil. It is something that God wants us to do, and He feels pretty strongly about it. Paul doesn’t mince words here – ‘if a man doesn’t work, neither shall he eat.’

There is an old saying, ‘idle hands are the devil’s playground.' A lot of folks even think this is a Bible quote. It isn't but it certainly is an important truth. Idleness is destructive. When we have nothing to do we tend to get ourselves in trouble.

Obviously there are those who want to work, but can’t find work for the moment. That is not what Paul writes about here. He is speaking to those who can work and just choose not to. We can’t just dismiss this with a trite saying like ‘there is always work if you are not picky.’ Sometimes there is really is no work.

Anyway, back to the point. Those who don’t work will find something to do they end up being ‘busybodies.’ They walk disorderly. This usually results in causing trouble. Idleness is never a good thing.

Paul puts it clearly. Excuse the parrowphrase here – ‘Go to work. Eat your food. Quietly get on with your life.’

God never intended for His people to lie about and do nothing. We need to find something profitable to so with our time. Go to work. Volunteer. Do something.