What does God say about people who live off of the system? 2Thessilonians 3:10 For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat. Paul, Silvanus and Timothy sent a letter to the church at Thessalonica addressing several issues within the church. Part of this letter was an encouragement regarding the positive areas and part of it was an admonishment for the sin within the church. This letter was not written to the city as a whole, but to the Christian members of the local church. One of the areas addressed was slothfulness and laziness. Apparently, some members of the congregation were idle and would not provide for themselves or their families in some cases. This verse was a direct admonition to those who would not work for sustainment but wanted the church to provide their needs so that they could live a life of ease. The Jewish community taught that it was a sin to contribute to indolence and that giving aid to a lazy person was the same as providing someone with the means to participate in any vice or iniquity. Not only was the church not supposed to foster idleness, they were to rebuke the laggard on the basis of the command set by God in Genesis 3:19. This is not to say that we are not to assist those that are infirm, disabled, aged or in any way UNABLE to provide for themselves. In cases where a person does not have the ability to provide for themselves the church is to administer benevolence and assistance with a loving and abundant heart, making sure that the recipient of aid does not feel they are a burden in any way.
Posted on: Sun, 03 Aug 2014 12:12:46 +0000
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