2 Thessalonians 3:6-15 – “But we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you withdraw from every brother who walks disorderly and not according to the tradition which he received from us. 7 For you yourselves know how you ought to follow us, for we were not disorderly among you; 8 nor did we eat anyone’s bread free of charge, but worked with labor and toil night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you, 9 not because we do not have authority, but to make ourselves an example of how you should follow us.

10 For even when we were with you, we commanded you this: If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat. 11 For we hear that there are some who walk among you in a disorderly manner, not working at all, but are busybodies. 12 Now those who are such we command and exhort through our Lord Jesus Christ that they work in quietness and eat their own bread.

13 But as for you, brethren, do not grow weary in doing good. 14 And if anyone does not obey our word in this epistle, note that person and do not keep company with him, that he may be ashamed. 15 Yet do not count him as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother.” NKJV

Let me say at the outset – that I am in favor of helping the genuinely needy!  However, let me continue to say that the “Entitlement Mentality” exhibited by much of the world, particularly America today, runs utterly contrary to the teachings of scripture, as evidenced in this passage.

Church discipline is almost non-existent today because we have little fundamental concept of the Kingdom and the governing ministries and functions that God has established in the Church. 

The apostle is emphatic that the church withdraws fellowship from every “brother” – – (a professing believer) who walks disorderly and contrary to how the apostles and Christ had taught them.  He stresses that to emphasize the importance of industry rather than idleness and laziness, he and his companions labored rather than depended on the offerings of the Church for their sustenance. 

They did so as examples.  Would to God that men and women of God in leadership today would take this to heart on a deeper level than is frequently exhibited, for it is a shame for a man or woman of God to become an example of Entitlement rather than Industry.

Paul, speaking to the church where all welfare or Christian charity came from, addressed this issue, and declared what our government and many in the church seem to miss – There is always work that can be done!  He was speaking about that issue and said plainly that if anyone would not work, they should not be given food.  Busybodies, talebearers, and idleness should not be favored but should experience the sting of being outside the camp to bring them to their senses and even to repentance so that they can be restored.

So that no one would miss his true message, he followed that instruction with a charge in verses 13-15.  That passage identifies that the motivation is always to be charitable, willing to help and do good but maintain discipline not for punitive purposes but for restoration purposes. 

I am convinced that if the church could somehow come to the place where it accepted the Apostles Doctrine and followed the guidelines of Scripture in this and other areas, we would see the government booted out of the welfare business in a significant measure and more and more people would be following the directive of Scripture and enjoying the fruit of their labors in the Lord. 

When we shift our dependence upon man from God, we become subservient to man and thereby shut off many of the blessings of the Lord.  “Seek first the Kingdom of God and His Righteousness, and ALL THESE THINGS shall be added to you” is more than a nice catchy phrase. It is a principle of life.

Churches, pastors, and believers, let us consider getting in order so that we can have the fullness of God’s provision, protection, power, and potential.  

May the Lord bless you as you go through your day!

PS – It is my prayer that the Lord would provide me and the local church with sufficiency so that we can help those genuinely in need.  I am in no way insensitive to genuine need.  The operative words in Paul’s declaration were “would not” not “could not.”