June 21, 2023 | Be On Mission
The Idolatry of Idleness
Scripture: 2 Thessalonians 3(NIV)
1 As for other matters, brothers and sisters, 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 people, for not everyone has faith. 3 But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen you 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 and sisters, to keep away from every believer who is idle and disruptive 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 offer ourselves as a model for you to imitate. 10 For even when we were with you, we gave you this rule: “The one who is unwilling to work shall not eat.”
11 We hear that some among you are idle and disruptive. 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 food they eat. 13 And as for you, brothers and sisters, never tire of doing what is good.
14 Take special note of anyone who does not obey our instruction in this letter. Do not associate with them, in order that they may feel ashamed. 15 Yet do not regard them as an enemy, but warn them as you would a fellow believer.
Final Greetings
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.
18 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.
Devotional
God gave us the Sabbath as a reminder not to be workaholics. Rest and leisure are an important part of human health. But idleness and laziness are no way to live.
One of the great things about being part of the Christian Church is that believers will take care of one another in a time of need. That is also a wonderful part of being an American citizen, knowing that there are helps and resources available when a person comes into a desperate situation. Family also plays an important role, providing for children as they emerge into adulthood.
But none of these should be an excuse for being idle. When God created humans in His own image, He blessed them and said, “Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky and over every living creature that moves on the ground” (Genesis 1:28).
In the following chapter, the Bible says, “The Lord God made all kinds of trees grow out of the ground—trees that were pleasing to the eye and good for food… The Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it” (Genesis 2:9, 15). We were designed to work.
In an age where working from home, long lunches, technology always at our fingertips, or numerous years of retirement provide endless temptations to be idle, Christians must resist the downward force of inertia. We should be the role models for the rest of the world, so that others might say, “Wow, those Christians are really good at putting in an honest day’s work.”
Poem
We Ask For Prayer
We’re in the field a-sowing
Among the soils a-showing
The beaten path
The stony track
The choke weed wrath
The composted soil a-growing
We ask for prayer
That what we share
May speed without a-slowing
We meet a-many wicked
Who’s evil, plenty thicked
Deliver us
Full vigorous
True chivalrous
With passion unrestricted
Our steadfast Christ
Our constant light
The Good News vast transmitted
We labor now among you
Our character in full view
No idleness
No pridefulness
Christ mind fullness
God’s Holy Spirit pursue
We ask for prayer
That we may share
In righteousness before you
