Paul isn’t much like so many of those TV preachers, constantly begging for money, is he? Instead, he reminds the Thessalonians that when he was living and preaching among them he practiced his trade as a tentmaker so that he wouldn’t have to rely on donations from the congregation. This is still a good idea for pastors, especially in areas with low population or in places where the people are too poor to support a full-time minister.

Does this mean that all preachers must have a paying job on the side? No – Paul reminds Timothy that those elders who “work hard at preaching and teaching” deserve to be paid (I Timothy 5:17-18). He said the same thing to the church at Corinth (I Corinthians 9:9-14), affirming that “the Lord directed those who proclaim the gospel to get their living from the gospel.”

But Paul’s example is nevertheless a powerful one. A pastor who can communicate to his people that he does not view his calling as merely a job or profession, a pastor who can make it clear to her people that she is not doing what she does simply for the money will doubtless make a bigger spiritual impact.

But in order for that lesson to come across, pastors need to follow the advice Paul gave to all of the Thessalonians, working hard night and day to care for their people. Idleness, whether in pastors or people, is quite simply inconsistent with love, for it expects others to do the necessary labor in order to serve the self. So, if we give gifts to those who are taking advantage of our generosity, we are really not loving them at all, but only encouraging them to continue in selfish sin.

So in this new year, let us resolve, not to be idlers, but to work as hard as we can to spread the gospel, showing and sharing the true love of Christ in word and deed, doing the best we can to provide for ourselves so that we can give others what they really need.

II Thessalonians 3:6-13 (ESV)

6 Now we command you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you keep away from any brother who is walking in idleness and not in accord with the tradition that you received from us.
7 For you yourselves know how you ought to imitate us, because we were not idle when we were with you,
8 nor did we eat anyone’s bread without paying for it, but with toil and labor we worked night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you.
9 It was not because we do not have that right, but to give you in ourselves an example to imitate.
10 For even when we were with you, we would give you this command: If anyone is not willing to work, let him not eat.
11 For we hear that some among you walk in idleness, not busy at work, but busybodies.
12 Now such persons we command and encourage in the Lord Jesus Christ to do their work quietly and to earn their own living.
13 As for you, brothers, do not grow weary in doing good.