Warning against Irresponsibility
6Now we command you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, to keep away from any brother who leads an undisciplined life that is not in keeping with the tradition you received from us. 7For you yourselves know how you ought to imitate us, because we were not undisciplined among you, 8nor did we eat anyone’s food without paying for it. Instead, in labor and toil, we worked night and day so that we would not be a burden to any of you. 9Not that we lack this right, but we wanted to offer ourselves as an example for you to imitate. 10For even while we were with you, we gave you this command: “If anyone is unwilling to work, he shall not eat.”
11Yet we hear that some of you are leading undisciplined lives and accomplishing nothing but being busybodies. 12We command and urge such people by our Lord Jesus Christ to begin working quietly to earn their own living. 13But as for you, brothers, do not grow weary in well-doing.
14Take note of anyone who does not obey the instructions we have given in this letter. Do not associate with him, so that he may be ashamed. 15Yet do not regard him as an enemy, but warn him as a brother.
Warn him as a brother, in love with the love of Christ. Stay away from those with an undisciplined life, good advice. Our son is leading an undisciplined life, that is why we choose not to have contact with him. We don't want his undisciplined habits rubbing off on us. We don't care to witness his ungodly behavior.
People who were once drug addicts or alcoholic's have to find Godly friends because if they hang around with other addicts they will revert to their hurts, hang ups and habits and fall back into their addictions.
Paul tells us to work for our sustenance because it's the Godly thing to do. Don't live off other people's hard work. Cecilia told me a story about someone, every time they cooked dinner the neighbors came over at the appropriate time so they offered to have them join in the meal. After many days of this happening, when they were done eating, she put the dishes on the floor and allowed the dog to "clean" them. She then put them in the cupboards. This was the last time the neighbors knocked on the door at mealtime.
Paul reminds us, “If anyone is unwilling to work, he shall not eat.”
Do you have an adult child living at home? Do they work for their support? Give them chores, tell them to get a job and to pay a weekly room and board fee. How else will they learn responsibility?
"accomplishing nothing but being busybodies." (A meddling or prying person)
Are you a person that has to be in everyone's business, spreading gossip? Stop it!
Paul tells us; "Do not associate with him, so that he may be ashamed. 15Yet do not regard him as an enemy, but warn him as a brother." Good advice, let them be ashamed, let the Holy Spirit work on their conscience and pray for them.
Blessings, David
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