The Future According to Godනියැදිය

2 THESSALONIANS 3: Should Christians Help the Poor?

Today, we finish 2 Thessalonians with chapter 3. Paul finishes his second letter by seeking prayer and warning against idleness. “If anyone is not willing to work, let him not eat” (2 Thess 3:10 ESV) or “do not grow weary in doing good” (2 Thess 3:13 ESV). Which is it when it comes to the poor? Please read or listen to 2 Thessalonians 3.

COMMENTS

In 1992, at thirty-seven years old, concerning 2 Thessalonians 3, I wrote in my personal Bible reading journal, “We still need to pray that ‘the word of the Lord may spread rapidly and be glorified’” (2 Thess 3:1 NASB). Then I wrote, "Separate from sinners, referring to 2 Thessalonians 3:6 and 14 NASB." And I wrote in capital letters, "WORK, referring to 2 Thessalonians 3:8, and 10-13 NASB."

In 1993, at thirty-eight years old, I read all of 2 Thessalonians two days in a row, making journal entries on both days. I wrote on the first day, “Do not grow weary in good work. Don’t act like a busybody, undisciplined life. Work is part of the blessing of life. Do it and do it well.” The next day, when I read those same chapters all over again, concerning chapter 3, I wrote, “And live a disciplined life. ‘Do not grow weary of doing good’” (2 Thess 3:15 NASB). So, kind of the same themes on both those days.

In 1994, the third year in a row, at thirty-nine years old, I read 2 Thessalonians 3, and wrote, “Not all men have faith, but the Lord is faithful.” Then I referred to 2 Thessalonians 3:6-15, “Takes aim at those who are lazy. They have no discipline. They won’t work, but they want a handout from the church. Don’t associate with such people. But don’t tire of doing good (feeding and taking care of them, is that what doing good is?). Admonish them as brothers, not enemies.” Then I wrote a question, “How can one do both? Not feed the poor and feed the poor.” That ends my journal entries on 2 Thessalonians 3.

Let’s look at chapter 3. I love the first verse. It is an Ezra Project verse, “Finally, brothers, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may speed ahead and be honored” (2 Thess 3:1 ESV). We have not used that verse as a yearly theme verse for the Ezra Project, but we may, as it draws my attention today. “Pray for us, that the word of the Lord may speed ahead and be honored” (2 Thess 3:1 ESV).

On to verse 3, “But the Lord is faithful. He will establish you and guard you against the evil one” (2 Thess 3:3 ESV). Praise God. We get a challenge, “May the Lord direct your hearts to the love of God and to the steadfastness of Christ” (2 Thess 3:5 ESV). May He direct our hearts accordingly.

Then Paul takes on one of the other concerns of the Thessalonians, those who were idle or those who would not work anymore. I wrote in my journal that he tells us to separate ourselves from sinners. He does here in this verse, “Now we command you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ that you keep away from any brother who is walking in idleness and not in accord with the tradition that you received from us” (2 Thess 3:6 ESV).

Let’s look at my English Standard Version Study Bible footnote on this verse:

Paul strongly commands the community as a whole to discipline by disassociation those who are not working but are depending on others for a living. The community is to keep away from these idlers, which probably means excommunicating them. Paul takes the sin of these people seriously, but at this point, he still regards them as "brothers." In idleness means “in an undisciplined, irresponsible, or disorderly manner.” These people are shirking their obligation to work. This behavior was not in accord with the tradition passed on by the missionaries regarding the necessity of working for one’s keep (ESV Study Bible, Crossway Bibles 2008, 2319).

Like in Thessalonica, we still have able-bodied people who simply choose not to work. What is a Christian to do? Paul tells them to go to work, “Now such persons we command and encourage in the Lord Jesus Christ to do their work quietly and to earn their own living” (2 Thess 3:12 ESV). Right before that is a verse many of us are familiar with, “If anyone is not willing to work, let him not eat” (2 Thess 3:10 ESV). Paul takes a pretty hard stand against those who are capable of working and simply choose not to.

But in the very next verse, Paul says, “do not grow weary in doing good” (2 Thess 3:13 ESV). Many of us would consider doing good, helping those in need. I wrote about that when I wrote a question in my 1994 Journal, “But don’t tire in doing good. Isn’t feeding and taking care of them, doing good?” Let’s get some help from my English Standard Version Study Bible once again. The footnote on verse 13 says, “The community as a whole, particularly wealthier members exploited by the idle, might grow weary in doing good, but Paul calls on them to continue being charitable, albeit only to those who are deserving” (ESV Study Bible, Crossway Bibles 2008, 2319).

Scripture is making a distinction. There is a difference between people who can work but will not and those who cannot work and need help. Certainly, part of Christianity is helping those in need. Paul goes on to say, “If anyone does not obey what we say in this letter, take note of that person, and have nothing to do with him, that he may be ashamed” (2 Thess 3:14 ESV).

Again, a footnote helps me understand this verse:

Paul believes it is very possible that some will ignore his warning and continue in their idle ways, so he instructs the community as a whole to take note of such people and have nothing to do with them. The purpose of this disassociation is so that the stubbornly insubordinate brothers will be ashamed, repent, and be restored to the community. Church discipline must always aim at renewing discipleship (ESV Study Bible, Crossway Bibles 2008, 2319).

Some of us might refer to this as “tough love,” but we are to keep a right heart as verse 15 reminds us, “Do not regard him as an enemy, but warn him as a brother” (2 Thess 3:15 ESV).

DIGGING DEEPER

This discussion in chapter 3 about idleness, or those who can work but will not work, is very, very helpful as an application today about how we as Christians ought to live. This chapter makes it very clear that we are to help those who are in need, but we are not to make a way; we are not to accommodate those who can work and simply choose not to.

If we are bold enough, we are to “encourage (those people) in the Lord Jesus Christ to do their work quietly and to earn their own living” (2 Thess 3:12 ESV). We are not to regard them as enemies, but as brothers. Our goal should be to restore them to fellowship in the body and reconcile their own economic well-being. I have never served on a benevolence committee in a church, so I cannot say how churches handle these delicate issues. But hopefully, we get some guidance from 2 Thessalonians 3.

As we close this short book, we are reminded of the two major issues it covered. People thought they missed the day of the Lord, and they had some people who chose not to work. Paul addresses both issues very clearly in his letter back to the Thessalonians.

PRAYER

I close with, “pray for us” (2 Thess 3:1 ESV), the Ezra Project, “that the word of the Lord may speed ahead and be honored” (2 Thess 3:1 ESV). Would you consider praying for us that we can spread the Word of God with honor through Day by Day Through the Bible, ADDBIBLE, and through the Ezra Project, by connecting God’s people to God’s Word? To God be the glory. In Jesus’ name, we ask it. Amen.