Daily Scripture Reading 2Thessalonians 2:11 - 3:18
What kind of social welfare programs does your government have? Do you approve or disapprove of them? Are there good aspects of welfare? Does government welfare have negative consequences? Is it biblical? Have you ever considered whether or not government assistance programs are biblical or not biblical?
What kind of charitable programs does your church operate? Are they biblical?
What does your personal charitable giving look like? Do you know what the biblical guidelines are for donating money to those in need?
At the end of his letters, Paul often wrote a series of commands and guidelines for how to live the Christian life. At the end of 2 Thessalonians, Paul wrote made some statements about working and eating which are guides that should be followed in all charitable endeavors.
When we stopped reading yesterday, we were reading about the end times. Paul wrote in the beginning of chapter two that the man of lawlessness will be revealed before the day of the Lord. Furthermore, the activity of the lawless one is currently being restrained, and will be restrained until the restrainer is taken out of the way. After the lawless one does his deception, the Lord Jesus will slay him and those who are not saved.
2Th. 2:11 And for this reason God sends upon them a deluding influence so that they will believe what is false
2Th. 2:12 in order that they all may be judged who did not believe the truth, but took pleasure in unrighteousness.
The pronouns “them” and “they” refer to those who perish because they did not receive the love of the truth so as to be saved, as mentioned in 2Th 2:10.
Note that God will send a deluding influence upon them. Failing to love the truth leads to being deluded.
2Th. 2:13 ¶ But we should always give thanks to God for you, brothers beloved by the Lord, because God has chosen you as the first fruits for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and faith in the truth.
2Th. 2:14 It was for this He called you through our gospel, that you may obtain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.
2Th. 2:15 So then, brothers, stand firm and hold to the traditions which you were taught, whether by word of mouth or by letter from us.
2Th. 2:16 ¶ Now may our Lord Jesus Christ Himself and God our Father, who has loved us and given us eternal comfort and good hope by grace,
2Th. 2:17 encourage your hearts and strengthen them in every good work and word.
2Th. 3:1 ¶ Finally, brothers, pray for us that the word of the Lord will spread rapidly and be glorified, just as it did also with you;
2Th. 3:2 and that we will be rescued from perverse and evil men, for not all have faith.
2Th. 3:3 But the Lord is faithful, who will strengthen and guard you from the evil one.
2Th. 3:4 And we have confidence in the Lord about you, that you are doing and will continue to do what we command.
2Th. 3:5 And may the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God and into the steadfastness of Christ.
2Th. 3:6 ¶ Now we command you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you keep away from every brother who walks in an unruly manner and not according to the tradition which they received from us.
Note the command in this verse to keep away from every unruly brother. There is a mentality in modern Christianity that unity trumps everything. Many Christians think unity is the most important command, and they are proponents of the idea that being on good terms with every Christian is more important than any other consideration.
Paul’s command in this verse contradicts that philosophy. If a brother is living in an unruly manner, then other Christians should keep away, they should not try to stay on good terms with him.
2Th. 3:7 For you yourselves know how you ought to imitate us, because we did not act in an unruly manner among you,
2Th. 3:8 nor did we eat anyone’s bread without paying for it, but with labor and hardship we kept working night and day so that we would not be a burden to any of you;
2Th. 3:9 not because we do not have the authority, but in order to offer ourselves as a model for you, so that you would imitate us.
As an apostle, Paul had the right to receive financial support from the Thessalonians, but he did not insist on exercising that right.
2Th. 3:10 For even when we were with you, we used to command this to you: if anyone is not willing to work, neither let him eat.
Think about the ramifications of this concept that any man who is not willing to work should not eat.
Many countries today have extensive welfare programs where people are paid for not working. Some Christians think welfare programs are a sign of compassion and generosity; however, they are not actually biblical. It is a sin to be lazy and refuse to work.
There is nothing wrong with giving someone some assistance when they hit an obstacle in life, but the assistance should be temporary. The goal should be for all citizens to be self-supporting, not dependent on welfare programs.
2Th. 3:11 For we hear that some among you are walking in an unruly manner, doing no work at all, but acting like busybodies.
2Th. 3:12 Now such persons we command and exhort in the Lord Jesus Christ, that working with quietness, they eat their own bread.
Paul repeated the command that people should work and earn their own food.
2Th. 3:13 But as for you, brothers, do not lose heart in doing good.
2Th. 3:14 ¶ And if anyone does not obey our word in this letter, take special note of that person to not associate with him, so that he will be put to shame.
Paul also repeated the concept that Christians should not associate with any brother who is disobedient to God.
2Th. 3:15 And yet do not regard him as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother.
2Th. 3:16 ¶ Now may the Lord of peace Himself continually give you peace in every circumstance. The Lord be with you all!
2Th. 3:17 ¶ The greeting is in my own hand—Paul, which is a distinguishing mark in every letter; this is the way I write.
2Th. 3:18 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.
The Bible commands us to be generous and help the poor. However, we saw in today’s passage that the Bible also states that anyone who does not work should not eat. It is fine to help people when they hit obstacles in life, but we should be diligent to avoid having any programs that create and promote dependency. Welfare should be a temporary helping hand, not a permanent way of life.
What are ways the welfare programs of your government discourage people from working and reward them for being lazy?
How can the social safety net be redesigned so that it gives people in need some help when they need it, but also encourages them to return to being self-supporting?
How should Paul’s guideline about working and eating guide the philanthropical decisions of you and your church?
How can you be generous and help the poor, without rewarding them for being lazy and refusing to work?
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“Scripture quotations taken from the (LSB®) Legacy Standard Bible®, Copyright © 2021 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Managed in partnership with Three Sixteen Publishing Inc. LSBible.org and 316publishing.com.”