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

This verse is the succinct, direct answer to handout programs. It in no way diminishes helping people out in times of genuine need, but it cuts to the root of much that is wrong with society today. The Bible is filled with admonitions to “help the widows and orphans,” and such like, but that comes nowhere close to the “entitlement” programs we see today. Liberals are fond of “cherry picking” verses from the Bible to under gird their various policies, but the Bible needs to be taken as a whole. It’s not “soft and squishy,” it is very firm and practical. Today the very idea of personal responsibility and accountability is out of fashion in some circles, but Paul brings us firmly back down to earth. If governments took this properly into account, the world would be a different place! There are countless “public works” projects on which people could be required to work if they were physically able and requesting government financial assistance. Human nature can be remarkably perverse, and if loopholes are available, they will be used. However, if basic principles, such as Paul lays down in this verse, are in effect as regulations, then such things can be held to a minimum.

Frankly, in these notes I don’t like to get onto topics that can be seen as political, but as a pastor I see this same issue in the Church. It is statistically accurate, as well as a truism, that 80% of the work in the Church is done by 20% of the people. The difficulty for me in dealing with that is in maintaining with all clarity the vital principle that we are saved by grace, not by works, (Ephesians 2:8-10) while also making it clear that genuine faith works. (Luke 6:46, etc.) Over the years I’ve had many people come to the church looking for a hand-out, and have been very thankful for our firm policy of “no cash given.” People with genuine need have been grateful to be fed or receive other assistance, (like a pair of socks and shoes) but many have turned away because they were trying to bilk the system. I have even had people make what seemed to be genuine confessions of faith, who then quickly dropped away when they didn’t see their hidden agenda fulfilled. Jesus told us to be “as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves,” (Matthew 10:16) as the NIV puts it. I am to build people up and not tear them down, (2 Corinthians 10:8) but sometimes building them up includes maintaining firm rules that will encourage them toward maturity, just as Paul lays down in this verse.

Father, life is seldom simple, much less simplistic. Help me receive and teach Your truth from Your Word, while being infused with Your Spirit so that I bring life and not death. (2 Corinthians 3:6) Continue to grow and mature me so that I may be increasingly useful to You in growing and maturing the believers, so that together we may bring You pleasure and glory. Thank You. Praise God!