DATE POSTED: Wednesday, 2023-03-29
WRITTEN AT: O’Brien, FL

SCRIPTURE FROM: 2 Thessalonians 3:10-13
TRANSLATION: Amplified Bible (AMP)

BIBLE TEXT: ¹⁰ …. if anyone is not willing to work, then he is not to eat, either. ¹¹ Indeed, we hear that some among you are leading an undisciplined and inappropriate life, doing no work at all, but acting like busybodies [meddling in other people’s business]. ¹² Now such people we command and exhort in the Lord Jesus Christ to settle down and work quietly and earn their own food and other necessities [supporting themselves instead of depending on the hospitality of others]. ¹³ And as for [the rest of] you, believers, do not grow tired or lose heart in doing good [but continue doing what is right without weakening].

OBSERVATION: One of the wonderful things about studying the whole Bible is that you will find godly wisdom in all phases of life. One of the challenging things of studying the whole Bible is that you will find godly wisdom that speaks to every walk of life – even those tough and sensitive matters that we may otherwise leave well alone. However, because Paul was bold in his approach to the Word of God, I believe as followers of Christ, we too should also pass the message along. Listen to what God has to say dear friends and excuse any conclusions you feel I might personally misrepresent.

APPLICATION: In the United States, currently there is one thing in common between most businesses, a sign soliciting additional employees. I would say that we have finally arrived at a stage where the threat of the common flu is probably more threatening than Covid 19, so I can’t see businesses continuing to blame the shortage of employees on this awful disease that had a drastic effect on America, and the world. So why are employers unable to keep up with their demand of employees? Could it be that employees have just become content with staying at home and depending on income from the government? Let’s remember that Paul’s writings were endorsed, or approved by God, because God had His co-equal, The Holy Spirit impress upon Paul the words he penned to help make up the Holy Word of God. Still, Paul boldly encouraged the church at Thessalonica to allow men to stand independently on the subject of providing food for their family. This meant that if they didn’t work, their family may not eat. When did this change? Most churches today seem to act like parishioners may die if they don’t provide food for them, or even financial support in other areas of their life. As an example of how and why people wait for help today, allow me to share a personal experience: I was once an active member of the local Lions Club. Our concentration was to help children and/or adults, from needy homes, to have access to proper eye care. This became known to the public, so at times we would have some contact us for help. It became necessary for us to place a coordinator in charge of approving projects, for we soon learned that certain folk would assume it was the job of the Lions Club to provide vision care for their children. We had some tell us that it was not their responsibility to take care of the vision care for their kids, for that was the job of the Lions Club! Our coordinator would visit the homes of applicants to help confirm the need of applicants. At times they would find fancy cars in the driveway, which led us to believe that the applicants just didn’t have their priorities in order. Now back to feeding the needy, how do you suppose Paul would evaluate a person’s need for help? He didn’t want the church to become hardened to the actual needs of their membership, so he reminded them that they must never grow weary in well doing. I believe that Paul taught the Thessalonian church, and recorded his lesson for churches today, that we must show our love for the folk that God presents to us in need of ministry, but don’t let that get carried away because of our empathetic and generous hearts. Folk may be looking for love in our generosity, but we may need to love them enough to share the greatest story of love every foretold. Although a poor looking fellow may appear to need food or clothing, without Jesus they could still die and go to Hell. The other lesson Paul warned us about in this Scripture is that the church will help generate strife and disorder if we allow folk to be a part of us but not be involved in what we are doing. Those who are idle will get involved in something to keep their minds active. Let’s strive hard to introduce them to Jesus and to see how involved He was in His community. My home church needs about 150 workers for all aspects of the ministry at each service. Is it truly worth it to allows busybodies to simply discourage those 150 by picking apart everything they do? Perhaps we should teach Christians to be involved in God’s ministry even if not called on by church leaders, by praying for every aspect of the services; picking up garbage left behind by worshippers; encouraging the pastor and his team; calling a friend to join you in church next week; call a shut-in, encourage them and pray for them.; etc. None of these things need the pastor’s approval, but you may find out that God was watching when He tells you ‘Good and faithful servant’. Doing these things will help distract you from the voices of Satan as he keeps pushing to destroy the work of Jesus Christ through you and/or your church.

BLESSING(S) NOTED: Be busy about the work of the Gospel, and not fall into the trap of Satan as he strives to destroy the work and ministry of Jesus Christ.

PRAYER: Lord, it is so unfortunate that Satan has promoted so many to the position of ‘busybody’ – in our homes, our workplaces, our churches and just about everywhere we turn. This is just one more way that Satan chooses to destroy Your work, yet we cave in to this and become way too active in destroying instead of building up and evangelizing the lost. Lord, please open our eyes to see that we are tearing down the work of Your church whenever we get to gossiping about the church, its pastor, leaders or other members. Please help us all to look for honest ways to satisfy the needs of our family and to meet the needs of the church. I believe that our church, and its members, exist for the purpose of evangelizing the lost in our community and to teach and encourage the saved. Help each member to be an active part of accomplishing Your will for us, so that You may see Kingdom growth in every aspect of our ministry and work. AMEN!

FOOTNOTE: There are two more pages on my blog that will provide you with additional information, one of them being ‘To Know Jesus’. If you have been challenged to make a decision today after reading this devotional, please click on the above page, or speak with a local Bible Teaching Pastor, or contact me at NuggetsFromGodsWord@outlook.com. Please allow someone to pray with you and give you help and/or encouragement as you begin, or continue your walk with Jesus. Words underlined in my blog might indicate a link to a song that came to mind as I wrote the devotional. Feel free to click on the link and listen as you continue to read or pray. If this devotional was forwarded to you and you would like to see more, please go to Nuggets From God’s Word and read more, or you may freely subscribe for a daily email conveniently containing each day’s devotional. You may also visit me on Spotify and listen to Nuggets while you’re out and about. I would encourage you to find a church home near by your home, and attend as frequently as you could. Get to know God, and allow His people to encourage and strengthen you in your Christian walk, while making every effort to be a blessing to them. God is at work among His people! Please consider growing in your faith, as you worship with fellow believers!