Warning Against Idleness

Ready:

"We hear that some among you are idle. They are not busy; they are busybodies. Such people we command and urge in the Lord Jesus Christ to settle down and earn the bread they eat."

-2 Thessalonians 3:11-12

Set

Today's lesson comes from a few years ago when former Los Angeles Lakers star Magic Johnson expressed his frustration regarding the lack of effort displayed by the Lakers after Game Three of the 2004 NBA Finals against the Detroit Pistons. "I am angry," Johnson said at the time. "You have to compete, and we're not competing. No one is welcoming anyone to the bench. Guys are sitting there, wandering off into the crowd, defeated. We've got to get that look off our faces and play basketball the way it's supposed to be played."

In the verse from 2 Thessalonians, Paul is warning the believers there against idleness, as many in his day were sitting around waiting for the Day of the Lord to come and were eating bread they did not earn.

When able-bodied Christians choose not to work they become a burden to others, thus hindering the Gospel. Do you know anyone who enjoys being around lazy people? My guess is that those who do are lazy themselves. Paul gave a rule for laziness in verse 10, "If a man will not work, he shall not eat."

Today, I urge you to work with all your heart at whatever you do (Colossians 3:23)!

1. Is there idleness in any area of your life (sports, work, home, school, etc.)?

2. How is this affecting your performance? Your team?
3. How is it affecting your witness for Christ?

Workout

Proverbs 10:4

Proverbs 14:23

1 Thessalonians 5:14
2 Thessalonians 3:6-13