You Better Put Some Water On That...

In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, we command you, brothers and sisters, to keep away from every believer who is idle and disruptive and does not live according to the teaching you received from us. For you yourselves know how you ought to follow our example. We were not idle when we were with you, nor did we eat anyone’s food without paying for it. On the contrary, we worked night and day, laboring and toiling so that we would not be a burden to any of you. We did this, not because we do not have the right to such help, but in order to offer ourselves as a model for you to imitate. For even when we were with you, we gave you this rule: “The one who is unwilling to work shall not eat.” – 2 Thessalonians 3:6-10

Today’s Reading: Isaiah 59-61; 2 Thessalonians 3

Lazy folks are not allowed.

Friday is one of my favorite movies of all time. The movie starts out with the main character Craig excitedly making a huge bowl of cereal. He sits down and starts to pour the milk in the bowl and only a trickle comes out.

Drats…

Then he starts looking in the fridge for more food to eat but he can’t find any. Just as he starts to close the door he sees his dad there looking none too pleased. Pops goes on a minute long monologue accosting his son for being good for nothing and lazy.

It’s pretty hilarious. Craig is just like the folks in Thessalonica that Paul is talking about.

I like this message a lot. There is something about it that on the surface comes across harsh but it really isn’t harsh at all. There were some freeloaders in the church of Thessalonica and they were eating up all the food and resources of the other folks who were industrious.

They were cancers to the community.

I say cancers because they were part of the body, but weren’t adding any value. They just soaked up the good and gave nothing back; therefore hurting the whole.

So what did Paul say to do? Cut it them out!

Take special note of anyone who does not obey our instruction in this letter. Do not associate with them, in order that they may feel ashamed. – 2 Thessalonians 3:14

And you know what this is what must be done. If folks are milking you dry then you gotta cut them off. If you are milking someone else dry then you need to get your act right and start contributing to those that you love who have invested in you.

If there truly is love then it isn’t a matter of take take take. Both parties must give as well. Otherwise, the one who is always giving will be left empty, damaged, hurt.

But then there is also a loving balance to this. In the very next verse Paul says:

Yet do not regard them as an enemy, but warn them as you would a fellow believer. 2 Thessalonians 3:15

We are not supposed to cut these people away forever as if they are and forever will be garbage. We are still supposed to love everyone and do what is best for them. It just so happens in this example that what is best is to help them understand that they need to carry their own weight.

Are you benefiting the lives of those that you are close to as much as they are benefiting you? Are your relationships mutually beneficial?

If you are receiving without doing any giving then how much do you really love them?

You better put some water on that…