Hi, dear brethren!
I´ve been wondering about a particular issue. To be honest, I don´t know how to act properly about it.
Jesus tell us to feed the hungry and clothe the naked. Basically to help to those in need. In my heart I desire to help those who need help, who starve, who had problems to buy medication, to feed their children, etc. Until recently, I always gave part of my salary to institutions. Every time someone comes to me and asks for money, I always ask if they are hungry or want me to buy food for them, but, I do not simply give my money.
Now, here´s the point: The Bible also says that "The one who is unwilling to work shall no eat".
This is my problem: I really want to help those in need, but that are many beggars that simply do not want to work. Still, they hunger because of that.
I struggle to find a balance about what´s the best way to act about this matter.
What´s your opinion, brothers and sisters?
May the Lord bless you!
I think the part of anyone being unwilling to work, shall not eat, is referring to people living in the same household, because then, you know the reason why they are not working when you know they are just being a bum or lazy, having the good life at the expense of others.
But those unwilling to work that you find on the streets? Not exactly living the good life at the expense of others. Since we do have many people with mental illness, or have a physical or health condition that the person is unwilling to work with having what they have to live with.
It could very well be a bad first hand work experience that shatters the person's self worth that they do not care to venture into the work place just to have that condemnation again. Or it could be the fault of a bullying boss that offends the person so much that they are unwilling to work for any body else now.... to never trust any one again as their boss.
It can very well be that there is no job he could get. How can anyone get a job when filling out an application that they are homeless and living in the streets? Some jobs require having transportation to get to work and not just an address and a telephone number to reach the homeless person by. See the problem there?
Once someone is on the streets, his or her prospect for getting a job is dimmer and thus crushing enough for any one not to want to get a job when they know full well that they simply can't from where they are at now.
Some are confessed alcoholics or drug addicts that know they are not ready nor willing to get a job when they are in bondage.
So my sharing here is to not let that verse about he who does not work, shall not eat, be applied to the homeless. It can never be applied to the poor that are homeless.
Let's look at the actual reference in context;
2 Thessalonians 3:[SUP]8 [/SUP]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: [SUP]9 [/SUP]Not because we have not power, but to make ourselves an ensample unto you to follow us. [SUP]10 [/SUP]For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat. [SUP]11 [/SUP]For we hear that there are some which walk among you disorderly, working not at all, but are busybodies. [SUP]12 [/SUP]Now them that are such we command and exhort by our Lord Jesus Christ, that with quietness they work, and eat their own bread.
I believe Paul was referring to visiting missionaries as he was, instructing that they do chores while they stay at someone's house and do their share while eating what was provided by that household. Apparently, some visiting missionaries were being busybodies while staying at someone's house, and hardly working at all.
So I believe Paul was referring to the example set by himself in how a visiting missionary should be doing.
Anyway, unless you have another reference, I believe that is how you are to apply that verse and not to the poor.
