work and expectation

Good morning sisters and brothers,
More than in some letters, 2 Thessalonians talks about the last days of the world. Early Christians expected the end very soon, which created a powerful sense of urgency to reach as many people with the good news as possible in the time remaining. It seems that some Christians took that expectation in the wrong direction by quitting their jobs. Paul writes that this is the wrong thing to do. Yes, the end is coming and the most important thing is faith and evangelism, but that doesn't mean we can abandon our other responsibilities.

The line: "Anyone unwilling to work should not eat..." might be the best known line in the letter and has been used by Christians in opposition to helping the poor or unemployed. That teaching is meant to discourage Christians from being lazy, and indeed Paul warns Christians even to stay away from those in the community who are lazy so they'll see that they are wrong and change their ways. That in no way means that Christians shouldn't help those in need; that responsibility is assumed. The challenge in the Christian life is striking the right balance between active work and ministry in the world and expectation of God's kingdom. We work and we hope for Christ's return, and because we live in expectation work and the world don't dominate our lives; they are part of a bigger picture.

Blessings,
Sam


2 Thessalonians 3:6-17

6Now we command you, beloved, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, to keep away from believers who are living in idleness and not according to the tradition that they received from us. 7For you yourselves know how you ought to imitate us; we were not idle when we were with you, 8and we did not eat anyone’s bread without paying for it; but with toil and labor we worked night and day, so that we might not burden any of you. 9This was not because we do not have that right, but in order to give you an example to imitate.

10For even when we were with you, we gave you this command: Anyone unwilling to work should not eat. 11For we hear that some of you are living in idleness, mere busybodies, not doing any work. 12Now such persons we command and exhort in the Lord Jesus Christ to do their work quietly and to earn their own living. 13Brothers and sisters, do not be weary in doing what is right. 14Take note of those who do not obey what we say in this letter; have nothing to do with them, so that they may be ashamed. 15Do not regard them as enemies, but warn them as believers.

16Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times in all ways. The Lord be with all of you. 17I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand. This is the mark in every letter of mine; it is the way I write. 18The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with all of you.