Dave's Diary

Daily Readings: 2 Thessalonians 3 and Psalm 2

It seems that some Thessalonian Christians had decided to stop working and live off the charity of the Church. Sadly, idle hands once again proved to be “the devil’s workshop” (as the old saying goes), and their idleness provided opportunities for them to disrupt the Church’s unity. In a clever play on words, Paul suggested that because they were not keeping their bodies busy with the business of earning a living, they had become busybodies who stuck their noses into everybody else’s business.

¹¹ We hear that some among you are idle and disruptive. They are not busy; they are busybodies.

He then gave apostolic instructions to those who were guilty of idleness and meddling. He wrote simply that they were to take responsibility for their own needs, instead of expecting other Christians to provide for them by their hard work: “¹² Such people we command and urge in the Lord Jesus Christ to settle down and earn the food they eat.” John Calvin commented: “Paul forbids the Thessalonians to encourage their laziness by indulging it, and teaches that it is those who provide themselves with the necessities of life by honourable and useful work that lead a life of holiness.”

And to those who were already hardworking, Paul wrote: “¹³ And as for you, brothers and sisters, never tire of doing what is good.” It can be really frustrating and demoralising to see others taking advantage of one’s generosity. But we should never let the manipulations of some discourage us from doing good to those who are truly in need. Instead, we ought to work hard to bring glory and honour to the Lord through our work and to be in a position to further the highest best of others.

Life application: Today is Heritage Day in South Africa. If you are privileged to have the day off, think about how you might make someone else’s life better through some small act of service. If you are privileged to be working today, work to the glory of God and be grateful for the grace He has given you to earn your own living.