IDLENESS: THE GATEWAY TO LIABILITY

Wednesday, 27th July 2016

2 Thessalonians 3:6-18

6. But we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you withdraw from every brother who walks disorderly and not according to the tradition which he received from us.

7. For you yourselves know how you ought to follow us, for we were not disorderly among you;

8. nor did we eat anyone’s bread free of charge, but worked with labor and toil night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you,

9. not because we do not have authority, but to make ourselves an example of how you should follow us.

10. For even when we were with you, we commanded you this: If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat.

11. For we hear that there are some who walk among you in a disorderly manner, not working at all, but are busybodies.

12. Now those who are such we command and exhort through our Lord Jesus Christ that they work in quietness and eat their own bread.

13. But as for you, brethren, do not grow weary in doing good.

14. And if anyone does not obey our word in this epistle, note that person and do not keep company with him, that he may be ashamed.

15. Yet do not count him as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother.

16. Now may the Lord of peace Himself give you peace always in every way. The Lord be with you all.

17. The salutation of Paul with my own hand, which is a sign in every epistle; so I write.

18. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.

Idleness can be said to be the father of liability and the paternal uncle of iniquity. This is what the preacher refers to in Proverbs as “one who is slack”. He said such a person is a brother to the one who destroys (Prov. 18: 9). In other words, idleness is a destroyer. It is often said that an idle mind is the devil’s workshop but I will add that the idle hand is the residence of poverty. In our passage today, Paul spoke vehemently against this ugly attitude, warning, the Church not to associate with an idle person. In order to drive home the point, he instituted a rule that if a man will not work, he should not eat. Paul sacrificed his rights to be supported by the congregation to teach them the dignity of labour. His testimony was that he laboured and toiled night and day to avoid being a burden or a liability to the brethren.

It is sad to say however, that we live in a generation where we encourage idleness and reward slothfulness. The Church is not protected from this “disease”. Many have entered the ministry because they believe that it is an easy way to earn their living. Unfortunately, they have become a liability to the Church. It is God’s desire that we His children should abhor and discourage idleness and consciously reward hard work.

Prayer: Our Father in heaven, as from today, may my hand not be slack.