Date: Thursday, 18th July, 2024
Text: 2 Thessalonians 3:6-12
Author: Pastor Adedeji Fadehan
Exhortation:
Apostle Paul is a sterling example of a man of God, who though was highly anointed and very busy with the work of evangelism, chose to work on a part time basis as a tentmaker to earn a living- Acts 18:1-3.
In his second epistle to the Thessalonians church he wrote, “We hear that some among you are idle and disruptive. They are not busy; they are busybodies (A busybody is someone who loves to poke his nose into other person’s affairs without being invited. He does not mind his own business but loves to meddle in other person’s matters.). Such people we command and urge in the Lord Jesus Christ to settle down and earn the food they eat.
“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 3:11, 12; 6-10.
Again in his epistle to the Ephesians church he said, “Anyone who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with their own hands, that they may have something to share with those in need”- Ephesians 4:28.
Indeed there is dignity in labour. No matter how little you earn, you are far better than a beggar.
Every child of God must be an asset (a problem solver) to the church and the society at large; not a liability (a problem to be solved).
Action Nugget: Be a problem solver and not a problem to be solved.