Scripture: 2 Thessalonians 3.  

OBSERVATION
(What is God saying here?)

2 Thessalonians 3:11-13 (NLT)

11 Yet we hear that some of you are living idle lives, refusing to work and meddling in other people’s business.

12 We command such people and urge them in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ to settle down and work to earn their own living.

13 As for the rest of you, dear brothers and sisters, never get tired of doing good.

APPLICATION
(How Can I apply what God is saying here to my circumstances today?)

I have heard statistics that reveal: 20% of the people do 80% of the work in a church. Paul saw this same issue in the early church and he ‘hit the nail on the head’ with what he suspected the 80% were wasting their time doing – meddling in other people’s business. This may even sound funny to us today, but before we comment on it to anyone, let’s stop and think about what our current church must be doing, you know – the inactive members. If they show up to church at all, they sit and watch to gather enough to hit the gossip charts, and the complaint headlines and the excuses that may serve to avoid their involvement. I believe that we can easily see where this sector of the congregation will tear down/hold back/prevent the growth of the Kingdom. The unfortunate part of this whole thing is that the 20% who do most of the work often fall into the trap of feeling overwhelmed and/or superior to the others and then they begin to gossip and tear down. I could easily see where this would have frustrated Paul, and I could also see where pastors today might become despondent over these same frustrations. I feel like this all boils down to our total commitment to the Lord. When we have promised God that as a result of Him saving us and giving us eternal life with Him in heaven, we will faithfully serve Him all the remaining days of our lives, then we should consider that to be unconditional and not dependent on the efforts of others around us, or the lack of their efforts. It is so vital for us to share the gospel with others. The same gospel that saved us. Join me in recommitting ourselves to doing that unconditionally.

PRAYER
(With God’s help, what am I going to do differently today because He said it?)

Lord, please direct Your people today to lead lives that are indicative of You, and help us to do that regardless of the efforts or attitudes of others. Lord, I long to see You and I pray that until that day, You use me to promote the name of Jesus and share Your love with all that I come into contact with. All for the glory of Christ!

 

àWords underlined may be a hyperlink to a song that God laid on my heart while sharing this devotional this morning. Click it and be blessed by the song, like I was when I listened to it! …… I would be overjoyed to have the opportunity to pray with you about a need in your life that may, or may not have been highlighted by this Nugget today. Why not drop me a note and tell me about it? You may email me at:
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