What does the Bible say about laziness or idleness? Though we certainly don’t look at it as a virtue, do we really think that it is that bad? Scripture does have something to say about being lazy or idle, and today we’ll take a look at what St. Paul wrote to the church in Thessalonica about it, as it seems there were some people there who had fallen into that bad habit. Let’s see what God’s Word has to say.
After having to leave the city of Philippi, Paul and his missionary companion Silas, came to Thessalonica and began telling the folks there about Jesus. Within a few weeks, they had several converts, and established a church. Shortly afterwards, though, the enemies of the Lord ran them out of town, and Paul eventually ended up in Corinth, where he stayed for over a year. While in Corinth Paul wrote his two letters to the Thessalonian church. In addition to teaching on some spiritual and doctrinal topics, the apostle also addressed some behavioral issues that were creeping into that new church.
It seems that there were some within the Thessalonian church that were refusing to work, to get a job with which to provide a suitable income, and instead were wanting to live off of others within the church community. Perhaps they had heard how the very early church in Judea, back during the first few years following Pentecost, had pooled their resources and provided for the poor and needy within the new Christian community (Acts 4:32-37). For some reason these folks now felt that if they didn’t work, others would and should provide for them.
When Paul heard of this, he knew right away that this sort of behavior was not right, and that it needed to be corrected right away. Labor is part of God’s design (Genesis 2:15). Laziness is a sin. So as he ended his epistle to the Thessalonians, he spoke directly to this issue. Paul didn’t make this a suggestion. He didn’t say, “If you don’t mind, it might be nice if you thought about maybe getting a job.” Paul spoke with his apostolic authority, invoking the Name of Jesus, saying “we command you” (vs. 6).
Paul stated that if some people who attended the church were acting disorderly, the others were to withdraw fellowship. The specific instance of disorderly conduct he was referring to in this passage was idleness or laziness. Separation or withdrawal of fellowship is a form of church discipline. One should not break fellowship over minor issues, such as over length of hair, or what one chooses to eat or not eat, but over persistent disobedience to God’s Word and commands. Withdrawal from disorderly brethren protects the purity of the church body.
Paul proceeded to point out how he and the other apostles behaved as they preached the Gospel wherever they went (vs. 7-8). Paul, for example, worked as a tentmaker to avoid burdening the church (Acts 18:3). He told the Thessalonians that just because he was in full-time ministry, that was no excuse to be lazy, either. When he wasn’t busy preaching God’s Word, he made tents, along with two other Christian workers, Priscilla and Aquila. Paul demonstrated that spiritual leaders should be above reproach in practical matters. In verse 9 Paul stated that he had the authority to receive financial help, as he also explained in I Corinthians 9:14. However, he voluntarily set aside his rights to model diligence and responsibility.
Work is a Biblical duty (vs. 10). There are some instances when a person cannot work, such as being sick, or having a physical or mental disability, or temporarily when one might be unemployed and actively looking for work. In those instances, when one legitimately cannot work, the church should help them with their needs. However if one just refuses to work when they are able, Paul stated that they should be disqualified from church provisions and help. This does not condemn helping the needy, sick, or disabled, but it rebukes willful idleness.
Being lazy or idle often leads to meddling in others’ lives, such as with gossip and interference, which often leads to strife (vs. 11-12). Instead, Paul exhorted believers to work quietly, to mind their own business, and to provide for their and their families’ needs (I Timothy 5:8). Again, Paul rooted this command in the authority of the Lord Jesus Christ. A lazy Christian dishonors Jesus and undermines the Gospel witness.
The apostle closes with a word of encouragement to those who are following and obeying the Lord (vs. 13). Don’t grow tired of doing right, even when others abuse generosity. While discipline is sometimes necessary, believers must continue to show kindness and perseverance in good works. As we close, we need to remember that although the Lord is the ultimate source of all we have, He has given us the responsibility of working in order to provide for our basic necessities. If someone is capable and able-bodied, but unwilling to work and wants something for nothing, God won’t reinforce laziness.
No comments:
Post a Comment