Page 7 - January 2026 - Truth & Tidings

struggles? We know believers shouldn’t sin here is laziness. Let’s be clear: this was
neglect their health or engage in activities not a person who could not work, but one
that violate Scripture, and we all recog- who refused to work and looked to be en-
nize that “this isn’t your grandfather’s abled in their slothfulness. Many believers
economy,” but let’s be cautious not to face health issues that prevent them from
justify laziness with seemingly plausible being employed, and we should never as-
excuses. The sluggard’s overgrown field sume the role of medical assessor. Still, a
yields much food for thought. person who can work and does not is to be
Reflecting an Example: The exhorted “that with quietness they work,
and eat their own bread" (2Th 3:12 KJV).
Sacrifice of Paul Should that person not respond to the

Paul was encouraged by the Thessalo- exhortation, the assembly must act. That’s
nians’ turn to God from idols and their how serious laziness is. The discipline
expectation of the Lord Jesus’ imminent here is not excommunication; it’s a separa-
return. While this anticipation should tion from social interaction and support.
have promoted holiness (1Jn 3:3), was The offender is not to be looked at as an
it possible that some could use this as a enemy or put outside of the fellowship,
sluggard’s excuse to shirk responsibility? but is to be instructed and warned as a
Whatever the case, Paul saw the impor- brother, with the intention that the with-
tance of setting a good example of work drawal of social connection and practical
ethic in Thessalonica. support will cause him to turn from that
As a gospel labourer, Paul could assert lifestyle in shame (vv14-15).
that being supported by the believers was Social safety nets, combined with the
not wrong. After all, by devoting himself care of closely connected Christians,
to working in the gospel, he had the scrip- could make it easy for a brother or sister
tural right to that support (1Co 9:14). But to inadvertently fall into the trap of tak-
here, he decided to forego that right for ing advantage of supports and foregoing
the sake of setting a good example. Thus work. However, while others may use
the Christian message is reinforced: don’t creative and convenient excuses to abuse
depend on others to provide for things government programs and exploit the
that you can supply by working honestly kindness of friends and family instead
yourself. A Christian is to be a “no excuse” of working, it should never be so with
worker. And if a believer who can work believers. Using programs and support is
is unwilling, then they should not be sup- entirely acceptable in cases where a person
ported (2Th 3:10). cannot work or is underemployed, but
their use is never justified solely because
Correcting and Exhorting: The a person refuses to work.
Serious Problem The bulk of the articles in this issue
But some were behaving very irre- approach the idea of employment from
sponsibly. They weren’t labouring but a much more positive angle. Still, the
meddling in people’s business and de- negative lessons of the sluggard and the
pending on support from others. While positive pattern of the apostle Paul should
being a busybody is harmful, this is not set the tone for our attitude toward work
the primary problem in this context. The in the secular world.

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