"Be Willing to Work" may sound like a strange title and topic for a Bible Insight, but it is exactly what Paul wrote in 2 Thessalonians 3:10, where he said, "For even when we were with you, we commanded you this: If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat." And it is very timely for today, as many people simply don't want to work. In many cities, the teacher's unions have the teachers refusing to return to the classroom, keeping schools closed, yet making sure that the teachers still get paid. Still others around this nation refuse to go back to work because the government pays them more in unemployment payments than they made at their jobs. It is a real problem.
Paul led up to this command in verse 10, by testifying of his own habit: "For you yourselves know how you ought to follow us, for we were not disorderly among you; nor did we eat anyone's bread free of charge, but worked with labor and toil night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you, not because we do not have authority, but to make ourselves an example of how you should follow us" (vs. 7-9). Concerning the command, "If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat" (v. 10b), the emphasis is on those who are not willing to work—those who "will not work" (v. 10b).
The point is, if you get hungry enough, you will work so you can buy food. Proverbs 16:26 says, "A worker's appetite works for him, for his hunger urges him on" (NASB). If you have the opportunity and the ability to work for your own food, you are to do so. If you do not, then you are "worse than an unbeliever" (1 Tim. 5:8). The whole verse says, "But if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever." Those who can work, must work. It is that simple. The key being—those who can. Amen.
Dare I say, too many people work harder “ at not working” by stealing to meet their needs.
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