WORKAHOLICS, WORKABHORICS AND THE JUST PLAIN LAZY
Paul’s commands from the Lord are simple and clear - Refuse to have anything to do with those among you who are lazy and refuse to work the way we taught you. Don't permit them to freeload on the rest. The command is clear but it can be very difficult to interpret in a highly materialized and economically developed nation like our own. As we look deeper at today’s passage we are always going to have lazy people. However, today we have tension because we are in the midst of a crisis where everyone shares the dream of prosperity, most want to work, but work is simply not available to all who seek it. One might ask the question – “Where is God in all this? How should the church respond with spiritual confidence and discernment in the midst of such an insurmountable crisis? What I want to do this morning is to follow our text and give you a warning - give a commendation as well as some hope for the Christian worker facing tough times.
FIRST THE WARNING:
B____________________ FOR THE IRRESPONSIBLE
(READ 2 Thess 3:6, 14-15)
ü The best English synonym for "lazy" or “idle” is s____________________
ü Paul is telling the Thessalonians to stop supporting the slackers, and to put "boundaries" between themselves and these people who were choosing an irresponsible path.
ü Sometimes the most loving thing we can do is say, ____________ even when it infuriates the person we say "no" to.
ü We still love the person, we still care, we still try to respond to them as best as we can, but we establish boundaries.
C____________________FOR THE RESPONSIBLE (2 Thess. 3:7-10)
ü Paul knew there was a tendency in the Thessalonian culture to become slackers.
ü Paul decided to work a part-time job to leave the Thessalonians an example of how to live the Christian life.
ü Paul’s rule: If a person refuses to work they shouldn’t be financially supported by the church.
ü John MacArthur gives four biblical insights about work...
1. God commands us to work. Exodus 20:8-9
2. God models work for us. Exodus 20:11
3. Work is part of the creation mandate. Psalm 104:23:
4. Work is a gift from God. Colossians 3:17
H_____________ FOR THE WORKER (2 Thess 3:11-13)
ü Even if it’s a part-time job, even if it’s a low paying job, start working for what you eat.
ü Paul has a passion to promote a sound theology of labor
Verse 6 – “We command you in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ” – the Commander-in-chief of the armies of heaven orders us to stay away from the idle.
Verses 7 – 9 – follow the example of hard workers – it is the responsible thing to do.
Verse 10 – “If a man will not work, he shall not eat.”
Verse 11 – “We hear some among you are idle. They are not busy; they are busybodies.”
