1 Thessalonians 5:14–15 (ESV) — 14 And we urge you, brothers, admonish the idle,
encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with them all. 15 See that no one repays anyone evil for evil, but always seek to do
good to one another and to everyone.
NOTE: Paul gives
instructions regarding the idle, the fainthearted, the weak, and then a general
instruction that is applicable to all. The idle are the lazy, and I suppose the selfish.
I say selfish because they do not want to give of their time to help others, or
for that matter themselves. But you reply, that if they do not want to help
themselves, how does that hurt others? Because we then have to take care of
them and so that also is selfish. We are to admonish them. The Greek word means
to warn, and is the same word used in another letter associated with
discipline. The problem with idleness is not just the selfishness of the
action, but the danger of the inaction. Work is a good thing, and we are
created in the image of God to work. When we do not work, we destroy something
of the fabric of our souls. We can't ignore the creation. It is essential to
our well-being. Which is why evolution through random processes is such a danger,
because it hides these essential facts of our soul.
PRAYER: Father,
protect me from laziness. I want to work hard because I know it is good for my
soul. I want to do the best I can so that I am a good witness for you. Now, as
I take time for an extended two-week rest, help to truly rest and let go. I
want to be recharged and ready to go when I return to work. Thank you for a
job. Thank you for the people. Give me grace to be a good witness.
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