“The one who is unwilling to work shall not eat.” 2 Thessalonians 3:10 (full passage below)
What a simple, yet practical statement. This flies in the face of today’s entitled, lazy, unwilling to put forth effort, that job’s not good enough for me, I shouldn’t have to sacrifice – mentality. The following letter sums up the poisonous attitudes proliferating too much of our present day society.
Dear world,
I deserve nice things and should be able to enjoy all the amenities of life. If I can’t afford those things, it’s because the world is messed up and it’s not my fault. Someone needs to give me my fair share, whether it’s governmental social services, my parents, stealing or manipulating resources, my family members, friends that are doing well financially, or rich people as a whole. Anyone who has lots of money owes it to me to share, since they probably won’t miss it anyway.
People shouldn’t have to work so hard just to get by. Minimum wage should be much, much higher, so that I can work my 40 hours and still be able to buy all the things I want to buy. Never mind that line about my getting further education, skills, or experience to earn a higher wage. People shouldn’t have to do all that extra stuff. That’s just too much.
Whoever decided that people have to sacrifice their time and money for years to build a career is probably trying to make money off of us. Everyone doesn’t want to do all that extra stuff and because they don’t, it’s not fair for them to have less. If I get a job, I just want to do it the way I see fit, and come home and relax or go out with my friends. When a friend contacts me with unexpected plans to do something amazing, I can’t have a boss fussing about calling out of work to do it. And I shouldn’t have to deny myself when I just worked all week. I should have enough money to enjoy my life the way I want.
There needs to be better jobs that pay better. I’m not working at no low wage job, doing grunt work. I don’t care if I don’t have a degree or the skills they claim to need. If I can’t find the kind of job I want with the right pay and benefits, I’ll just collect money from the government or my parents until that job comes along. I shouldn’t have to take a job I don’t want; that’s not fair. Especially if the pay is low. I deserve, I deserve, I deserve ….
Signed,
Mr. or Ms. Entitled
Contrary to the views set forth by the Entitled’s, we are called to put forth effort to carry the load of our own existence. The verse is simple. Unless you are unable, each must work in some way to contribute to their own care. That work may be in the form of a daily job, revolving projects, volunteering, keeping a home, raising children, helping others, or the like. Whatever it may be, it contributes to yours or your family’s care whether financially, emotionally, physically, or spiritually. Entitlement has no place because it assumes getting something for merely existing, without giving of oneself. It is selfish and self-serving: the opposite of giving and contributing. If you are expecting others to pay your way while you indulge yourself, that is a problem. And to enable someone in selfish indulgence while you work to support them is another problem.
Is it reasonable for someone to have an $800 cell phone, $200 sneakers – multiple pairs, expensive clothes and jewelry, and no transportation or home? What about having a job and money that is spent on clothes and entertainment, but the lights are turned off for nonpayment? Or, instead of paying back the money you borrowed, you spend more money going out to party?
There is a real difference between want and need. There really aren’t many material things that we need: food, water, clothing, and shelter. And as far as need goes,those things don’t have to be fancy. Now, want on the other hand is where we can potentially get into trouble. Want is where the discrepancy between the amount you have and the amount you would like to have clash. If you don’t have the money to buy the $75 item, you might have to settle for the $30 version, or not get it at all. If you don’t have the time or means to go to the movie, you may have to watch something at home, or read a book. You must learn to live within your means, not the means of others.
Consider your own lives and decide if this scripture can spur you on toward a better work ethic for yourself and those around you. If you do little to nothing to contribute to your own care, it’s time you did. Perhaps, you can start by simply acknowledging all that has been done for you, thanking your benefactors, and asking what you can do to serve. Then put a smile on your face and do it. You may be surprised by how God will bless your efforts and grow your heart.
Full Passage: We were not idle when we were with you, 8 nor did we eat anyone’s food without paying for it. On the contrary, we worked night and day, laboring and toiling so that we would not be a burden to any of you. 9 We did this, not because we do not have the right to such help, but in order to offer ourselves as a model for you to imitate. 10 For even when we were with you, we gave you this rule: “The one who is unwilling to work shall not eat.” 2 Thessalonians 3:7-10
#GrowlikeJesus
EmmSix 