The Bible: Work or Don't Eat

One thing I love about the Bible is that it takes a hard stand on people who try to just "get by" and feed off others without doing a lick of work themselves. Here's my favorite verse on this topic:

For even when we were with you, we gave you this rule: "If a man will not work, he shall not eat." 2 Thessalonians 3:10

Yep, don't work, don't eat. I think that says it all.

Notice that it doesn't say that those who CAN NOT work should not eat. No, we should have compassion on and help out those people. But if someone can work, yet WILL NOT work, then he's left to the consequences of his actions (or inactions in this case).

Here are a couple other verses on this same line of thinking:

Lazy hands make a man poor, but diligent hands bring wealth. Proverbs 10:4

How long will you lie there, you sluggard? When will you get up from your sleep? A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest -- and poverty will come on you like a bandit and scarcity like an armed man. Proverbs 6:9-11

So get out there and work! Or find a way to survive without eating. ;-)

Comments

[LinuxWebGuy]

Go to the ant!

[FMF]

You got it!!!

Proberbs 6:6-8 (in case you're wondering what we're talking about.)

[eliza]

We have some able-bodied neighbors who need to abide by this principle. They don't even shovel their snow or take out their garbage...just throw it out the back door...but they do eat..

[Candygirl]

Yeah, and even though it's tough to find a job right now, we still have to keep looking for a job or start a business to bring in money to pay our bills and buy food and work like God is our boss (Ecclesiasties 9:10, Colossians 3:23-25)

[Debbie Nicholson]

I am concerned about my husband's lack of desire to work. He is a college graduate, but has always had a hard time getting and keeping a job. He is a big talker and a spend thrift. He is now 60 years old, has good computer skills, but has given me a fit about working. We have a home that is not paid for, and many other bills. Help!!! We are Christians and want to do what is right, but I am about ready to throw in the towel.

[FMF]

Debbie --

I suggest you two get counseling from your pastor or some Christian-based service.

[Soxx]

This text isn't just about "work" or paying bills, it's also about busy unproductive people as well. You working to pay bills I understand, but do you really NEED a new car and do you NEED some of those bills?

[Alma Stewart]

God is the judge of all thing.Just think about it,your body have to perform some type of function to be able to eat.And any type of function is work.The price for not doing any work to live is death.God has already judged all things.All man has to do is to obey him.And that is to do unto other as you will have them to do unto you.When you do this you are letting God come into this earth through you.We are not justice,but we can do justice.God himself is justice,and God himself is the judge.In the bible it says,in the beginning was the word and the word was with God and the word was God.So God is justice and he also is the word judge.And these words works through us in the earth.So that is why we are not to judge and that is why Jesus did not condemn the women that was brought to him.So we can only do God's word but we can't be his word until we do it.

[Lee]

I am leaving my husband because he will not work he refuses to work...and he still wants to be controlling over me and the money I make as a teacher. And he is suppose to be a preacher

[Amy]

"If a man will not work, he shall not eat." (2 Thessalonians 3:10)
Lazy hands make a man poor, but diligent hands bring wealth. (Proverbs 10:4)

How long will you lie there, you sluggard? When will you get up from your sleep? A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest -- and poverty will come on you like a bandit and scarcity like an armed man. (Proverbs 6:9-11)

But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel. (1 Timothy 5:8)

Before you lead, you must FOLLOW! Before you PREACH... you need to OBEY!

[Amy]

But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel. (1 Timothy 5:8)

[paul]

i was unemployed when i was a young man and having to deal with ssi it made me sick and body and spirit because i felt total useless that was about 18 years ago