There is a big debate about Unemployment Insurance here in the United States. When COVID-19 hit, the government approved a $600 a week bonus to those who lost their jobs because of the shutdown. Now those benefits have run out, and people are begging the government to keep the payments going because they get paid more not to work. The Bible tells us that we were created to work and that we glorify God when we do a good job. We should never rely on anyone else to support us. Paul tells us its time to work.
2 Thessalonians 3:10
“For even when we were with you, we used to give you this order: if anyone is not willing to work, then he is not to eat, either.”
Did We Miss It?
Paul spent most of his letters dealing with issues in the church. The big issue with the Thessalonian church was that they thought the Rapture had already occurred or that it was imminent. For those who thought they “missed the boat,” they were despondent. For those who thought Jesus was coming any day now, they didn’t feel any need to work. Paul was blunt in telling them if you don’t work, you don’t eat.
Don’t Be Fooled
We’ve all heard stories of people who thought they were going to die going on lavish road trips. They spared no expense because they knew they weren’t going to be around to pay for it. That fatalist mentality has captured people in church when some “End Times” expert predicts the exact date when Jesus will return. They are shocked when the Rapture doesn’t happen. This is not how God created us. He wants us to be working for Him till the day He returns
Time to Work
We are created to work and are supposed to do it until the day we retire or put us six feet under. There is no excuse for an able-bodied Christian not to work. The church isn’t a welfare system for the capable but a support system for the down-trodden. Heed Paul’s words and do the work God has given you, not only that, be the hardest worker at your job. Don’t give your employers any reason to doubt you.