Scripture
2 Thessalonians 3:13-“As for the rest of you, dear brothers and sisters, never get tired of doing good."
Observation
I don’t know about you, but I get a little perturbed when I see people taking advantage: taking advantage of people’s generosity, taking advantage of people’s forgiveness, or even taking advantage of the system. It can really steal the joy out of serving and helping them. As Paul writes to the Thessalonian church, he addresses a group of people that are doing this very thing.
The Thessalonian church community was commissioned to care for one another, and they resolved to help those in need by providing food and other provisions. Unfortunately, some chose to take advantage of the situation and decided that since they would be fed and cared for anyway, they didn’t have to work, didn’t have to make money, and didn’t have to provide for themselves. To make matters worse, those that were being lazy were also stirring up trouble. Paul rebukes the selfish ones for taking advantage of the system and reminds them of the example of hard work that he set. Following the rebuke, he turns his attention toward those who had been faithfully working, and he says, “ 13 As for the rest of you, dear brothers and sisters, never get tired of doing good.”
Application
How do you NOT get tired of doing good!? How do you not want to give up on doing what’s right when you see this blatant abuse of the system, this injustice, this unfairness? Herein lies the lesson and reminder for me today:
- When doing good requires sacrifice and unconditional love...don’t grow tired in doing it.
- When doing good requires you to serve others who might not seem like they deserve it...don’t grow tired in doing it.
- When those you help aren’t grateful...don’t grow tired of doing it.
- The service you give is unto the Lord so...don’t grow tired of doing it.
- He is worthy so...don’t grow tired of doing it.
- He sees your faithfulness and effort and finds great delight in it so...don’t grow tired of doing it.
- He rewards those who obey and do good so...don’t grow tired of doing it.
This is a lesson I needed to hear today, and I truly believe this is a lesson someone else needed to hear today. Don’t give up on doing good! Whether it’s toward your spouse, children, or friends, whether it’s at work or at school, whatever the situation, wherever the struggle...don’t grow tired of doing good! Keep going, and as Galatians 6 says, in due time you will reap a harvest if you do not give up!
Prayer
Jesus, please strengthen those that need this reminder to not grow tired in doing good. When they feel like giving up please remind them that You see, You know, and You reward those who obey You. May they not give up that You might do a work in their homes, in their workplaces and schools, and in their relationships. In Your name, Amen!
