Friday 24th October
Read 2 Thessalonians 3:11-13
“We hear that some among you are idle and disruptive. They are not busy; they are busybodies. 12 Such people we command and urge in the Lord Jesus Christ to settle down and earn the food they eat. 13 And as for you, brothers and sisters, never tire of doing what is good.” (NIVUK)
It is remarkably easy to become resentful of those who don’t contribute. Week after week people show up, eat morning tea or lunch, and leave. Willing to take advantage of the service of others without serving themselves. It can be infuriating if one thinks about it for any length of time. A bitterness might arise.
Alternately ennui might set in. Why I am working so hard for others? They don’t appreciate it at all. What would happen if I simply stopped doing all the extra things? Would they even notice? There is little point continuing to do good things when ultimately there is no acknowledgement and only ungrateful expectation and exploitation.
Paul’s pastoral heart is on full display in this final reminder to not grow weary of doing good. Having spoken at length, and rebuked those who are malingering, he quietly encourages those doing the right thing to keep going. The model he and his companions set of diligence and persistence in working hard is not just for those who are disruptive, but also for those who may be near breaking point.
There is a faithfulness in the face of faithlessness, reflecting God’s character, that it would be dangerous to tire of.
Imagine if God had?
