Don't be lazy and work hard!

Don't be lazy and work hard!

 

2 Thessalonians 3:1-18

 

The Apostle Paul asks the Thessalonian believers to pray. May the word of the Lord spread and glorify as it is among you, and deliver us from the wicked. And the Lord is faithful to strengthen the Thessalonian saints and keep them from the evil one, and may the Lord guide their hearts into the love of God and the patience of Christ.

And, in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, Paul commanded the Thessalonian saints to turn away from those who were lazy and did not follow the traditions they received from Paul. Those who do not do this are told not to eat, but to work quietly and eat their own food. And do not become discouraged in doing good, do not treat those who do not obey you as an enemy, but exhort them as brothers. Finally, Paul closes his letter with greetings, wishing the Lord of peace Himself to give peace to all of you in every way.

 

The Lord is faithful and strengthens us and keeps us from the evil one. And the Lord guides our hearts to love as God loves and to persevere as Christ endures. (Verses 3-5)

 

We must pray for each other. We must pray that the word of the Lord will spread throughout the world, as it is among us, and be glorified, and that he will keep us from the evil ones (verses 1-2). Last week, when I was preaching the gospel, there were people who opposed and threatened me. We must pray that God will remove all evil and protect the evangelists. And we should pray that the Lord of peace will give us peace in everything we do and that the Lord will be with us (verse 16).

 

Those who are lazy and do not want to work should be urged to work quietly and eat their own food (verses 6-15). Paul, despite his rights, did not demand it, but worked day and night, setting an example. We should not treat those who are lazy and do nothing but create things like an enemy, but exhort them like a brother.

 

God, let your word spread and glorify as it is among us in the whole world, and keep us from the wicked! We pray that the Lord of peace will give us peace in all we do. Encourage those who are lazy and do not want to work, so that they too may work hard, enjoy the abundance, and become givers!