If you won't work...

For even when we were with you, we commanded you this: If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat. For we hear that there are some who walk among you in a disorderly manner, not working at all, but are busybodies. Now those who are such we command and exhort through our Lord Jesus Christ that they work in quietness and eat their own bread. - 2 Thessalonians 3:10-12

Here’s a pretty strict standard – if you won’t work you shouldn’t eat. That doesn’t sound at first like a very spiritual thing to say and it sounds kind kind of harsh and uncaring.

The truth is though that we are designed to work. Our work is so that we don’t be a burden to others who are working. Of course this is contingent on those who are ill or disabled or of age where they cannot work. God intends for them to be taken care of. They are even situations where things are so bad where those who truly cannot work even if they want to. Someone has to be able to care for them so those who can work have to do it.

Paul wrote of some who did not work and because they did not work all they did was to cause trouble. Paul says here that the answer was for them to go to work and get on with their quiet lives and to provide for their own needs. Paul also writes that part of the reason that we are to work is so that we can meet the needs of those who can’t.

Paul says here that those who can work just simply need get quietly get to work and to take care of their own needs, not be a burden to others, and help meet the needs of those who can't work.