Don’t Be Idle

2 Thessalonians 3:6-15 (ESV)
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. [7]For you yourselves know how you ought to imitate us, because we were not idle when we were with you, [8]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. [9]It was not because we do not have that right, but to give you in ourselves an example to imitate. [10]For even when we were with you, we would give you this command: If anyone is not willing to work, let him not eat. [11]For we hear that some among you walk in idleness, not busy at work, but busybodies. [12]Now such persons we command and encourage in the Lord Jesus Christ to do their work quietly and to earn their own living. [13]As for you, brothers, do not grow weary in doing good. [14]If anyone does not obey what we say in this letter, take note of that person, and have nothing to do with him, that he may be ashamed. [15]Do not regard him as an enemy, but warn him as a brother.

Paul’s warning against idleness has much wisdom in it. In context, Paul is telling all those who were working and taking care of one another not to have anything to do with those who were able to work but instead were taking from the community and stirring up trouble. A group of believers like this were sharing all they had, but there were those taking advantage of the sharing. Paul didn’t say to condemn this person, nor judge them, but to take note and have nothing to do with them. Don’t treat him like an enemy, but warn him as a brother.

I see two immediate applications of this passage. The first one is to show wisdom in helping out a fellow Christian financially: either personally or on the church body level. There will always be those who take advantage of generosity. Is the person idle or in genuine need? Are you not able to determine this? Then lean towards grace and help the brother. Is the person actually being idle? Don’t treat the person like an enemy. Don’t condemn the person. Help the person find employment. Give the person a job around the church or the house so they are putting back into the community.

The other application to this that stands out is towards the body of believers. Ephesians 4:11-15 comes to mind here:

Ephesians 4:11-15 (HCSB)
[11] And He personally gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers, [12] for the training of the saints in the work of ministry, to build up the body of Christ, [13] until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of God's Son, growing into a mature man with a stature measured by Christ's fullness. [14] Then we will no longer be little children, tossed by the waves and blown around by every wind of teaching, by human cunning with cleverness in the techniques of deceit. [15] But speaking the truth in love, let us grow in every way into Him who is the head—Christ.

We have leaders to train all Christians in the work of the ministry to build up the body of Christ (all Christians) to bring us into unity with one another in faith in Jesus Christ. Our growth is measured by Jesus as the standard, not each other. We then have stability and we speak to each other in love.

The early Christians had a community in which they were expected to work and contribute to the church body physically. There was a warning against the idle who didn’t work but stirred up trouble. I believe today’s church body should be expected to grow in the knowledge of Jesus Christ and trained so they can build up the body of Christ (others in the church body). Those who aren’t willing to do this should not be treated as enemies, but warned. If we are to speak in love, then it is to be a warning – not a threat. That person could be given the opportunity to give back to the body (through training) so that they are no longer idle and stirring up trouble, but building up the body of Christ.

Nothing is ever this easy I know, but Paul is speaking to us and our attitude. “Warn as a brother” and “don’t treat like an enemy” is telling us to heal and not amputate when part of our body is not up to par. Choose grace and healing.