2Thessalonians 3:6-15
Paul wrote to
Thessalonian Christians admonishing them not to tolerate misconduct and
laziness. He told them to withdraw themselves from every brother that ‘walketh
disorderly’.
Apostle Paul was a
godly man. He loved God with all his might and strength and heart. Every person who
worked with Paul did follow his exemplary conduct. He was not someone who would
say something and do the opposite. Paul was righteous and holy in all
ramifications. He, therefore, was not the type that would tell people to “do as
I say and not as I do”. That was why Paul could proudly tell everyone working
under him to emulate him.
Paul and his
co-labourers were never a liability to the Churches they planted. They used to
earn their living by working hard. Paul therefore advises the Christian leaders
in particular not to depend or allow themselves to become a burden to others:
“For you know that you ought to imitate us. We were
not idle when we were with you. We never accepted food from anyone without
paying for it. We worked hard day and night so we would not be a burden to any
of you. We certainly had the right to ask you to feed us, but we wanted to give
you an example to follow”.
2Thess.3:7-10, NLT
Pastors should stop
asking church members either directly or indirectly for personal assistance
while preaching. This is not to say members should not take care of the pastors
and church leaders. We shouldn't do the work of God shrewdly. We must be honest. Pastors shouldn't burden the members with demands for luxury things such as car, provision of money for overseas trips and such like.
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