Working hard or not?

Matthew 6:26
Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they?

2 Thessalonians 3:10
For even when we were with you, this we commanded you: that if any would not work, neither should he eat.

what is the case here?

Understand this is written to believers within the assembly of believers . No one who believes has a free lunch or ride, all must participate in the works given by God for the common good.

Hmm-Could it be they were expecting the return of the Lord

It doesn't really define what "work" is exactly. I mean, even the birds need to get up out of their nests and search their food out and that's work. I guess 2 Thess. 3:10 is saying that people need to go look for their food too. I think that's a good way to harmonize those two scriptures.

This Thread Title is Working hard or not?


I say ---My View here

The whole case here --in Matthew 6:26 which is that God will provide all your needs as His Creation is more Precious than the the fowl of the air and he provides will for them -------Jesus is still alive here in Matthew and is Teaching to Trust and Believe God for your needs not yourself -----

I say ----
The the case here in this Scripture you quote -----

2 Thessalonians 3:10
For even when we were with you, this we commanded you: that if any would not work, neither should he eat.

I say ------
This Is God warning to Believers who are keeping the Word and obeying God to keep away from believers who are slothful and idle and disruptive and who even though they are believers they do not live as they should be ----they take their food from others--- they eat without any labour ----so this was a rule that was given to believers -----that if any would not work, neither should he eat.---

Believers are to set a good example for others to follow ------Taking advantage of others for food just because your lazy is wrong and should have right consequences --- -which is no food unless you work for it -------

Paul made tents to support himself

he didn't get on tv and beg for money or send out mail that if you buy a prayer shawl, not only will God bless you more, you will also automatically become a priest

I can't even

Jesus was talking about seeking the kingdom first and foremost and God will provide of course that doesn’t mean food just magically appears , but he will provide us a way formoir needs to be met cause us to be supplied give us a good work ethic. Jesus is telling us don’t get bogged down in worry and stress over things because as we seek him God will provide

“Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?

for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.”
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭6:31-34‬ ‭KJV‬‬

one day at a time not worrying and stressing but trusting God

Paul is talking about not being a freeloader expecting others to work and provide our food

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

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

Now them that are such we command and exhort by our Lord Jesus Christ, that with quietness they work, and eat their own bread.”
‭‭2 Thessalonians‬ ‭3:10-12‬ ‭KJV‬‬

We shouldn’t think we don’t need to work and provide for our food and needs and those of our family.


but also we shouldnt worry if we don’t have everything we need for tomorrow and the future yet we should live one day at a time and trust God he will Provide

What is written in Matthew is against taking anxious thought for our daily provisions. What is written in Thessalonians is to remind us that we are to work and earn our living. Even though we read that God feeds the sparrows, we know that sparrows also have to work hard to feed themselves. But God provides them with opportunities to find food, just as He provides us with opportunities to find work.

So all Christians can ask themselves "Am I working hard or hardly working?"