Have you ever had a really big job in front of you?  It can look overwhelming.  If others pitch in and help it becomes more manageable.  When everyone pitches in the job becomes easy.  Paul emphasizes the need for everyone to give and serve and use their gifts repeatedly in the early church.  Let’s look at one such occasion in 2 Thessalonians 3 together today.

In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, we command you, brothers and sisters, to keep away from every believer who is idle and disruptive and does not live according to the teaching you received from us. 7 For you yourselves know how you ought to follow our example. We were not idle when we were with you, 8 nor did we eat anyone’s food without paying for it. On the contrary, we worked night and day, laboring and toiling so that we would not be a burden to any of you. 9 We did this, not because we do not have the right to such help, but in order to offer ourselves as a model for you to imitate. 10 For even when we were with you, we gave you this rule: “The one who is unwilling to work shall not eat.” 11 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.

Paul’s words may seem harsh to us but the context is important.  The church was all working together and would gather and share in all of their meals.  There were some who simply stopped contributing and working at all because they thought Jesus would return any minute.  Paul is sternly reminding them of the importance of everyone participating and contributing because that is when the church functions best.  He used his own work as an example.  For us today the same basic principle holds true.  The church functions best when everyone is contributing.  When we all are using our time, talents, and treasures to build His church.  The more people “pitching in” the easier the job becomes of sharing God’s love with the world.  I pray that God would lead, guide and direct us all on how we can best pitch in to build His church.

In His Grip,

Pastor Dave