Good Morning “Producers”. Today we finish 2 Thessalonians with chapter 3.
Paul closes with a warning - stay away from any believer who is idle and disruptive. The NASB says “every brother who leads an unruly life…”. The King James Version says “walketh disorderly”. What is Paul talking about? Is he talking about those that simply aren’t serious about life? Partying it up? Stirring up trouble? “Unruly” would suggest they were out of control. Likely yes, but there’s more. It seems to be tied to them not providing for themselves and their families as well. Check out the rest of what Paul says in context:
“For you yourselves know how you ought to follow our example. We were not idle when we were with you, 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. 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. For even when I we were with you, we gave you this rule: “The one who is unwilling to work shall not eat.””
2 Thessalonians 3:7-10 NIV
From 2024-2025 the US spent a reported 1.8 Trillion Dollars on Welfare programs. Those numbers are independent from social insurance programs like Social Security and Medicare which hard working tax payers pay into.
Let me remind you the government really has no money, it comes from working people who pay taxes. We pay for those programs. Now, truly some are in need, and would work and produce if they could… but trillion with a T??? Let me also remind you that caring for those in need was never the governments job, it was the church’s (Deuteronomy 14:28-29; Leviticus 19:9-10; Timothy 5:3-16; Ephesians 4:28; Acts 20:35).
In fact our government (Franklin D Roosevelt) stepped in after the “Great Depression” looking to provide temporary assistance, a safety net for qualifying families in desperate need. It seems now, for some who take advantage - it has become an opportunity, a permanent way of life.
This isn’t political - it’s Biblical. There is nothing new under the sun. Paul was addressing the fact that some were taking when they should have been producing. It’s the same today!
Some things to note about Paul’s teaching here.
- He is talking about “Believers” here. Why would we expect a lost person to live Biblically. Free money or food, “I’m in!” But the Follower of Christ should understand their responsibility, and understand that it’s really not free - someone is paying the bill!
- He’s talking about Believers “unwilling” to work. Some are not able. The key here, as always, is - where is the heart?
- He’s saying don’t associate with them because we know “Bad company corrupts good intentions / morals” 1 Cor. 15:33
If you’re about the party, living your best life now, living off your parents or the government (other working people) or someone else… Paul says “you don’t eat!” Wow… sound harsh? Take it up with the one who inspired Scripture…
Love you all! Be a producer, a helper! Dig in and live it out!
Paul closes with a warning - stay away from any believer who is idle and disruptive. The NASB says “every brother who leads an unruly life…”. The King James Version says “walketh disorderly”. What is Paul talking about? Is he talking about those that simply aren’t serious about life? Partying it up? Stirring up trouble? “Unruly” would suggest they were out of control. Likely yes, but there’s more. It seems to be tied to them not providing for themselves and their families as well. Check out the rest of what Paul says in context:
“For you yourselves know how you ought to follow our example. We were not idle when we were with you, 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. 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. For even when I we were with you, we gave you this rule: “The one who is unwilling to work shall not eat.””
2 Thessalonians 3:7-10 NIV
From 2024-2025 the US spent a reported 1.8 Trillion Dollars on Welfare programs. Those numbers are independent from social insurance programs like Social Security and Medicare which hard working tax payers pay into.
Let me remind you the government really has no money, it comes from working people who pay taxes. We pay for those programs. Now, truly some are in need, and would work and produce if they could… but trillion with a T??? Let me also remind you that caring for those in need was never the governments job, it was the church’s (Deuteronomy 14:28-29; Leviticus 19:9-10; Timothy 5:3-16; Ephesians 4:28; Acts 20:35).
In fact our government (Franklin D Roosevelt) stepped in after the “Great Depression” looking to provide temporary assistance, a safety net for qualifying families in desperate need. It seems now, for some who take advantage - it has become an opportunity, a permanent way of life.
This isn’t political - it’s Biblical. There is nothing new under the sun. Paul was addressing the fact that some were taking when they should have been producing. It’s the same today!
Some things to note about Paul’s teaching here.
- He is talking about “Believers” here. Why would we expect a lost person to live Biblically. Free money or food, “I’m in!” But the Follower of Christ should understand their responsibility, and understand that it’s really not free - someone is paying the bill!
- He’s talking about Believers “unwilling” to work. Some are not able. The key here, as always, is - where is the heart?
- He’s saying don’t associate with them because we know “Bad company corrupts good intentions / morals” 1 Cor. 15:33
If you’re about the party, living your best life now, living off your parents or the government (other working people) or someone else… Paul says “you don’t eat!” Wow… sound harsh? Take it up with the one who inspired Scripture…
Love you all! Be a producer, a helper! Dig in and live it out!
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