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“We commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat. For we hear that there are some which walk among you disorderly, working not at all, but are busybodies” (2 Thessalonians 3:10-11).
There is a movement in the governments of some countries today to ensure a guaranteed income for every adult, whether they work or not. Our verses today show the frequent result for those who can work, but refuse to do so. They become “busybodies”; that is, they tend to spend their time getting into mischief, doing a lot of idle talking, and causing trouble for themselves and others. Often they have to depend on the help of others to be able to live.
When man fell by disobeying God’s one command in the Garden of Eden, God immediately told Adam that from that time onward, he would have to work hard in order to eat. In this way, work is a great mercy, for it tends to keep man’s sinful nature somewhat in check.
It is also a poor testimony for a Christian not to work if he is able, for we should be willing to work to provide for our own needs, as well as to be able to help others who cannot work.
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