October 05 2026

October 05 Monday

2 Thessalonians 3:6-10

A Faith That Works

Welcome to Pastor’s Chat! Today we continue our journey through 2 Thessalonians chapter 3. Paul has just reminded us that “the Lord is faithful.” Now, beginning in verse 6, he turns to a very practical matter concerning how believers should live while we are waiting for the return of Jesus Christ.

Paul writes in 2 Thessalonians 3:6–10: “But we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you withdraw from every brother who walks disorderly and not according to the tradition which he received from us. 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. For even when we were with you, we commanded you this: If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat.”

Apparently, some of the believers in Thessalonica had misunderstood the teaching concerning the return of Christ. They knew Jesus was coming again, and evidently some of them had decided that since Christ could return at any moment, there was no reason to continue working. They had stopped fulfilling their normal responsibilities and had become dependent upon others to provide for them. Paul says that is not the way a Christian should live.

Waiting for Jesus does not mean that we stop working for Jesus. In fact, the expectation of Christ’s return should make us more faithful—not less faithful. Notice what Paul says in verse 7: “For you yourselves know how you ought to follow us.” Paul could point to his own life as an example. When he was in Thessalonica, he preached the Gospel. He taught the Word of God. He ministered to the believers. But he also worked with his own hands. According to Acts 18:3, Paul was a tentmaker by trade. He was willing to work so that he would not unnecessarily become a financial burden to those to whom he was ministering.

He says in verse 8 that he “worked with labor and toil night and day.” Think about that! Paul was an apostle. He had every right to receive support from those to whom he ministered. And he makes it clear elsewhere in Scripture that there is nothing wrong with supporting those who faithfully preach and teach the Word of God. But in Thessalonica, Paul voluntarily gave up that right. Why? Verse 9 tells us: “To make ourselves an example of how you should follow us.” Paul wasn’t simply preaching a message. He was living the message.

And there is a wonderful lesson here for every one of us. People are watching our lives. Our children are watching us. Our grandchildren are watching us. Our neighbors are watching us. The people we work with are watching us. And sometimes the greatest sermon we will ever preach is the life we live before them. Then Paul makes a statement in verse 10 that is sometimes misunderstood: “If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat.” Notice carefully that Paul does not say, “If anyone cannot work.” There are people who cannot work because of age, disability, sickness, circumstances, or other legitimate reasons. Scripture repeatedly teaches us to care for those who genuinely need help.

Paul is talking about someone who can work but refuses to work. There is a great difference between being unable to work and being unwilling to work. God has designed work to be an important part of our lives. Work existed even before sin entered the world. In the Garden of Eden, God gave Adam the responsibility of tending and keeping the garden. Work gives us the opportunity to provide for ourselves and our families. It enables us to help others. And when it is done with the right attitude, our work can even become an act of worship. Colossians 3:23 reminds us: “And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men.”

My friend, Jesus Christ is coming again. But until He comes, we have work to do. There are people to love. There are people to encourage. There are people who need to hear the Gospel. There are responsibilities God has placed in our hands. So we don’t sit down and simply watch the sky waiting for Jesus to return. We stay faithful until He comes! Perhaps a good prayer for each of us today would be: “Lord, help me to be found faithful when Jesus comes.”

Let’s pray. Heavenly Father, thank You for the privilege of serving You. Thank You for the responsibilities and opportunities You have placed before us. Help us not to become careless or idle, but to faithfully do the work You have given us to do. May our lives be examples that others can follow. And as we wait for the return of our Lord Jesus Christ, help us to be faithful every day until He comes. We ask these things in Jesus’ name. Amen.

God bless, and may you have a wonderful, wonderful day!