A Look At Broken Culture: Gimmie

II Thessalonians 3:10

Before my grandfather died, he cut back on how much seed he planted in his garden. He used to plant about 2 acres, and we would fill the freezers and shelves with vegetables we put up. We also gave away a lot of vegetables to people in the community. There towards the end though, he said he could not give it away. People did not want to go pick their own vegetables or to process them. If all the work was done they would gladly take a handout though. That was back in 2002-2005. Things are much worse today.

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For even when we were with you, we commanded you this: If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat.

II Thessalonians 3:10

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Many people walk around today with their hands out. They want everything handed to them, but they do not want to put in the work to earn it. People want free college, free healthcare, free groceries, free phones, free housing... The list goes on and on. Paul said Christians should not think like this.

Christians should set the example in the world by working. This was not a new concept in the Bible. From the moment God breathed into Adam and gave him life, there was an expectation to work. "Then the LORD God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to tend and keep it" (Genesis 2:15). After the fall, this idea of work was both reiterated and expanded.

Then to Adam He said, “Because you have heeded the voice of your wife, and have eaten from the tree of which I commanded you, saying, ‘You shall not eat of it’: Cursed is the ground for your sake; In toil you shall eat of it all the days of your life. Both thorns and thistles it shall bring forth for you, And you shall eat the herb of the field. In the sweat of your face you shall eat bread till you return to the ground, For out of it you were taken; For dust you are, And to dust you shall return.”

Genesis 3:17–19

When we refuse to work and want someone to provide for us, we are defying God and His plan for His creation. Laziness is sin. Proverbs condemns the lazy man many times. Paul wrote in I Timothy 5:8 that someone who does not provide for their family is worse than an unbeliever. Ephesians 2:10 says that we were saved and changed for the purpose of doing good works. In other words, we do our regular job that pays the bill. Then we get off and do the work of God (if we cannot do both at work). When people sit around the house, they tend to struggle with depression. This is because they do not feel like they have value in society. God made us to work. If we live long enough, physical labor will end. This does not mean that our work is done. Our elders should still play an important role in the family through loving their family, setting the example of worshiping God, and teaching wisdom. Sometimes, they may even need to correct the younger generations. All of this is Biblical also.

Father, we thank You that Your Word teaches us to work. You made us to have purpose and contribute to society. We are to take care of our families. Help us to not just be obedient, but to teach others to be busy with both the physical labor of this world, and Your work as well.