In an ideal world everyone would have enough work, and would be paid enough for their work, to meet all of their material needs. Unfortunately, things are not always ideal. Sometimes people do not have enough work. Sometime the wages they earn are not enough to meet their needs. Sometimes people cannot find any work at all. Even worse, there are many who cannot work because of illness or physical disability. In cases like this the followers of Christ have a responsibility to meet the needs of those among their number who cannot supply their own. The Bible describes the early followers of Jesus this way: “For neither was there among them any who lacked, for as many as were owners of lands or houses sold them, and brought the proceeds of the things that were sold, and laid them at the apostles’ feet, and distribution was made to each, according as anyone had need.” (Acts 4:34-35)
But what should be done in the case of people who are able to work, but choose not to do so? The Apostle Paul addresses this problem in his 2nd inspired letter to the believers at Thessalonica. In chapter 3, verses 6 through 13, he writes, “Now we command you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you withdraw yourselves from every brother who walks in rebellion, and not after the tradition which they received from us. For you know how you ought to imitate us. For we didn’t behave ourselves rebelliously among you, neither did we eat bread from anyone’s hand without paying for it, but in labor and travail worked night and day, that we might not burden any of you; not because we don’t have the right, but to make ourselves an example to you, that you should imitate us. For even when we were with you, we commanded you this: “If anyone will not work, neither let him eat.” For we hear of some who walk among you in rebellion, who don’t work at all, but are busybodies. Now those who are that way, we command and exhort in the Lord Jesus Christ, that with quietness they work, and eat their own bread. But you, brothers, don’t be weary in doing well.”
Paul did not give this instruction on his own authority, but in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. It is important for us to understand that the commands of the Apostles are, in reality, the commands of Christ. When we read the words of the Apostles they are the words of Christ spoken through the Apostles. To ignore or to disobey an apostolic command is to ignore or to disobey Christ. The matter is so serious that Paul tells the believers to separate from anyone who does not live according to the teaching he had given.
There are many who are ready to tell other people how they ought to live but who, themselves, don’t live according to the principles they teach. Paul was not like that. His life matched what he said. He did not ask anyone to do what he, himself, was unwilling to do. It is for this reason that Paul was able to tell the people to follow his example. He could instruct them to work because he had worked while he was among them.
But why did Paul feel it was necessary to work in addition to preaching the gospel? Preaching, teaching and starting new assemblies of believers is not easy. It takes a great deal of time and effort. It takes so much time that it is difficult to work at another occupation at the same time. Not only that, but Scripture says that those who preach Christ’s gospel should be given financial support for doing so. For example, it is written that, “…Lord ordained that those who proclaim the Good News should live from the Good News.” (1 Corinthians 9:14)
If Paul had the right to support for his evangelistic work, why didn’t he insist that he get it? Why did he refuse to take payment? He writes that he did it in order to be an example for the believers at Thessalonica. From this we can learn a very important lesson. As followers of Christ, it is sometimes best to give up our rights for the good of others. There are many people who think that other people should support them. They think that others owe them a living. Paul actually had the right of support but did not use it. He willingly gave up his right to financial support in order to demonstrate the principle that people should support themselves by working.
Not only did Paul set an example by working, he taught an important rule: “If anyone will not work, neither let him eat.” (verse 10) All too often we shield people from the consequences of their choices. By doing so we enable them to continue doing things which prevent them from growing and maturing in their faith. By our tolerance we sometimes enable people to live in ways which dishonor Christ. But Paul had no patience with people who deliberately chose to live in a way which was contrary to the principles of Christ. If someone chooses to live in an inappropriate way; if someone brings contempt on the followers of Christ by the way he lives, then he should also pay the consequences of his choice. If someone makes the choice not to work, then he has also chosen not to eat. We should not interfere by providing such people with what they have chosen not to earn for themselves.
If those who choose not to work merely remained idle it would not be so bad. Unfortunately, such people often are not content to leave it at that. Instead of using their time to take care of their own needs, they use their free time to interfere in the affairs of others. In this way they trouble the whole church and give it a bad name. Paul not only urges, but commands such people in the Lord Jesus Christ to live quietly and start earning the bread they eat. The message is plain: If we choose not to work, we are violating the command of Christ. How can someone who deliberately disobeys call himself a follower of Christ any longer?
In contrast to this, Paul instructs the believers to never tire of doing right (verse 13). This teaching agrees with what the Apostle Peter said also. In his inspired letters to the followers of Christ he says that no matter what the circumstances are, they are to do good. He writes, “Beloved, I beg you as foreigners and pilgrims, to abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul; having good behavior among the nations, so in that of which they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they see, glorify God in the day of visitation.” (1 Peter 2:11-12)