6 In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, we command you, brothers and sisters, to keep away from every believer who is idle and disruptive and does not live according to the teaching[a] you received from us.
Note: Idleness for the Thessolonian church was a problem. The same kind of idleness snare us if we aren't careful. Check out 2 Thessolonians 3 to read about the warning given to the church concerning the issue of idleness.
Note: Idleness for the Thessolonian church was a problem. The same kind of idleness snare us if we aren't careful. Check out 2 Thessolonians 3 to read about the warning given to the church concerning the issue of idleness.
Is it okay for a member to continually to ask for food from the church when he has not participated in any ministry?
ReplyDeleteI dont think the question has to be broken up into two piece to actually answer it.
ReplyDelete1. Is it okay for a member of the church to ask for food?
Yes, definitely. It can be a humbling act to come to the church for help. And Christ has directly called us to provide food for those who are hungry, within the brethren. matthew 25:40. However if continued support, causes an enabling atmosphere, where the person is no longer productive, however become lazy, slothful and/or greedy, we should look for other ways of supporting them; such as finding them employment, giving them work to do around the church. Laziness, slothfulness and greed are sins, just like the sin of not helping the poor. 2 thess 3:10 really explains that if someone is not willing to work, then that person shouldn't eat.
2. Is it okay for a member of the church not to participate in any ministry?
No, we are who are in the body should all contribute something to the kingdom. However how they contribute may take place outside the doors of your specific church. Though they may not be active in a specific church ministry, are they loving their neighbors in the neighborhood. Helping people in need around them? Providing emotional support for broken family members? Talking about Jesus while riding the bus? If they displaying God's love they are doing ministry.
But I believe that the two questions are mutually exclusive.