If He Doesn't Work, Let Him Not Eat?

In 1st century Thessalonica, there were some individuals who decided they weren't going to work anymore and started living off the charity of the wealthy.

We've sure come a long way since then though, right? When the Apostle Paul and his missionary brothers were there, they labored to earn their stay.

It would have been within their right to expect payment for their ministry, but Paul wanted to give the Thessalonian Christians an example to follow.

For you yourselves know how you ought to imitate us, he wrote, 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.

He said, 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 busy bodies.

Now such persons we command and encourage in the Lord Jesus Christ to do their work quietly and earn their own living.

He went on to say, Do not regard him as an enemy, but warn him as a brother. Now Paul was not talking about people who were infirmed or physically incapable of working.

He was talking about those who were able to work but wouldn't, preying off the welfare of others and having plenty of time to meddle in other's sins.

By giving charity to those who don't need it, such undeserving persons are taken from those who truly do need it.

As we read in Proverbs 18 .9, Whoever is slack in his work is a brother to him who destroys.

It is the command of God to work. So encourage one another in that very thing and do it for His glory when we understand the text.