Idleness

There is a current philosophy that ‘equality’ must include ‘equity,’ that everyone is entitled to the same assets as everyone else. ‘Equality’ was originally defined as have the same opportunity to provide for the necessities of life—things like food, shelter and clothing. This is equality of opportunity but it has recently be defined as the right of equity, that everyone is entitled to the same basic assets without any productive activity. Entitled simply by existing. The Apostle Paul is fortunate that he addressed this in a less ‘enlightened’ age.

Now we command you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you keep away from any brother who is walking in idleness and not in accord with the tradition that you received from us. For you yourselves know how you ought to imitate us, because we were not idle when we were with you, nor did we eat anyone’s bread without paying for it, but with toil and labor we worked night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you. It was not because we do not have that right, but to give you in ourselves an example to imitate. For even when we were with you, we would give you this command: If anyone is not willing to work, let him not eat. ¹

Paul does not address in this those who are unable to work; there are other provisions in Scripture for those truly disabled by physical impairment or advanced age but this passage is about those who refuse to be productive. Understand that in that era, everyone learned how to work as part of their upbringing, that status of position had nothing to do with productivity. The majority of every civilization were given over to subsistence living, the producing of enough to meet your and your family’s needs. And ‘needs’ really were needs. As late as the 17^th Century, King Henry IV of France stated the royal desire that every peasant family in France might ‘have a chicken in every pot’ for Sunday dinner. ² Expectations have exceeded that meager fare.

Paul continues his encouragement of productivity as the way to demonstrate the life of Jesus in the following verses,

For we hear that some among you walk in idleness, not busy at work, but busybodies. Now such persons we command and encourage in the Lord Jesus Christ to do their work quietly and to earn their own living. ³

Disciples of Jesus, followers of the LORD, are to avoid idleness and Paul even goes as far as to warn against taking the time to gossip. Disciples are urged to ‘work quietly’ and to ‘earn their own living’ rather than expect someone else to give them what they believe they are entitled to to meet their expectations.

This is not to be harsh but it is to promote a productivity that exemplifies a life that accomplishes the purposes of God, that has the basic necessities for life so we can then serve God with any excess opportunities. Consider the lifestyle of Jesus and the apostles, what they had, what was priority and then what was accomplished out of their humble lifestyles.
More is not always more.