TOPIC : “THE LEGACY OF PERSONAL EXAMPLE“

Text:  2 Thessalonians 3:6-15

6. Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly, and not after the tradition which he received of us.

7. For yourselves know how ye ought to follow us; for we behaved not ourselves disorderly among you;

8. Neither did we eat any man’s bread for nought; but wrought with labour and travail night and day, that we might not be chargeable to any of you;

9. Not because we have not power, but to make ourselves an ensample unto you to follow us.

10. For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat.

11. For we hear that there are some which walk among you disorderly, working not at all, but are busybodies.

12. Now them that are such we command and exhort by our Lord Jesus Christ, that with quietness they work, and eat their own bread.

13. But ye, brethren, be not weary in well doing.

14. And if any man obey not our word by this epistle, note that man, and have no company with him, that he may be ashamed.

15. Yet count him not as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother.

KEY VERSE:2 Thessalonians 3:7

“For yourselves know how ye ought to follow us: for we behaved not ourselves disorderly among you.”

MESSAGE

It is often said that actions speak louder than words. A songwriter wrote, “While passing through this world of sin, and others your life shall view, be clean and pure without, within; let others see Jesus in you”. A so-called Christian father who was a secret drinker never brought alcohol home. So everyone in his family believed he does not drink. That was until his son passing through a back street saw his father’s truck parked beside a pub. He went in to greet him only to see him guzzling whiskey. That left an indelible negative impression in the boy’s mind.

At the establishment of Thessalonian church, several socially prominent and wealthy people were converted. As their manner was, Paul and his team laboured as tent-makers to support themselves. They did not request for upkeep from a church made up of new converts. This showed their dedication and consecration towards the furtherance of the gospel, not financial rewards. When it was reported that some busybodies within the church refused to work and were living off the wealthy, Paul had the moral authority to rebuke them and set things right.

Laziness is unbecoming amongst believers. Ministers should shun the temptation to make merchandise of God’s flock (Matthew 10:8). Nobody, who can work, should live off industrious members of the church.

However, this does not preclude helping the poor and needy among the body of Christ. We should not be “weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not” (Galatians 6:9).

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:
Be a good example to others around you.

THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:
John 4-5

Daily Manna is the daily devotional of the Deeper Christian Life Bible Ministry (DCLM). It is an extraction of God’s Word designed to draw the sincere seeker closer to God on a daily basis through an insightful exposition and analysis of God’s Word.