2022_04_20 Insight Post- Rusty Coram
This week’s reading- 2 Thessalonians 2-3
The church in Thessalonica was a strong church but, like any healthy church, also had its problems. Doctrinal issues, relational messes and outside persecution lead Paul to write them a second letter soon after the first. This letter was to strengthen, correct and encourage them, and it included an important principle related to followers of Jesus and personal responsibility. Each of us is to work diligently to meet our own needs and also come alongside and help others. This approach honors God and builds healthy self-respect. Unfortunately, in the church in Thessalonica, there were some who chose not to follow this and opted to do nothing and just rely on others to support them. These people were capable but unwilling, and Paul was having none of that. He gave a simple practice that is timeless: “If a man will not work, he shall not eat.” 2 Thessalonians 3:10 (NIV) The idea here is that if a person is able, but unwilling to work and provide for themselves, then they should not be supported by others. The natural consequence of their refusal to work – hunger – is appropriate and will motivate them to action.
Beyond food, this principle is important in the growth and maturity of all of us. For instance, the parent that does their child’s homework so their lazy child won’t fail, or the boss who continues to overlook an employee’s poor performance to avoid conflict… in the long run, that is not helping the child or the employee. Consequences are important to teach us how to live responsibly and faithfully. There will be times when we all need help, and we should be willing to admit and ask for it. But our mindset needs to be that we will shoulder our own responsibilities and not unnecessarily depend on others. In fact, we should work hard so that we have more than we require so we can help others in need. Earlier, Paul wrote to the Galatian church: “Share each other’s burdens, and in this way obey the law of Christ. 3 If you think you are too important to help someone, you are only fooling yourself. You are not that important. 4 Pay careful attention to your own work, for then you will get the satisfaction of a job well done, and you won’t need to compare yourself to anyone else. 5 For we are each responsible for our own conduct.” Galatians 6:2–5 (NLT)
Rusty Coram
Senior Pastor