January 31, 2021 CAC Living Water Devotional : Topic – ESCHEW IDLENESS
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LIVING WATER CAC DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE
Sunday, January 31, 2021
ESCHEW IDLENESS
Read: 2 Thessalonians 3:6-12
2 Thessalonians 3:6-12 Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly, and not after the tradition which he received of us.
For yourselves know how ye ought to follow us: for we behaved not ourselves disorderly among you;
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:
Not because we have not power, but to make ourselves an ensample unto you to follow us.
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.
MEMORISE:
Laziness casts one into a deep sleep, and an idle person will suffer hunger (Proverbs 19:15)
EXPOSITION
Spending time doing nothing is time and age wasted, in nature. Idleness shows up when one refuses to be occupied, employed and filled with productive activities. It is when one lives without work and purpose. God did not create man to be idle. When God created man, He gave him work to do (Gen. 2:15). God hates idleness (Matt. 20:1-6). So, idleness is a sin against God and humanity. Paul reminded and re-challenged the Thessalonians, ‘For even when we were with you, we commanded you this: If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat’ (2 Thess. 3:10).
The result of being idle is not good at all. As an idle mind is the devil’s playground, so is an idle hand, the devil’s workshop (cf. Jdg. 9:4; 11:3). Those who refuse to work will suffer hunger. If at all they get anything to eat, it would be the bread of idleness. You eat the bread of idleness when you eat food you don’t like, having no option. Idleness renders a man useless in the society. The idle people among the Thessalonians used to hang around other believers, expecting to be asked for dinner and given a place to sleep (cf. 1 Tim. 5:13).
Does the above description of idleness fit you? Change and find something godly to do. If you are a graduate, dont wait until you get a white-collar job. Find something reasonable doing to save your life, time, and future. Even, Paul instructed the former thieves in Ephesus to get jobs and do productive things, so that they could add value to their communities out of what they got from their labours (Eph. 4:28). Never allow a day to go without doing something meaningful, productive, valuable and God-glorifying. It is what you do that counts, not your certificate, age, or status.
PRAYER POINTS
1. I dislodge myself of spiritual and physical idleness, in Jesus’ name.
2. Lord, give me a strong mind to live my life for the benefit of others, through the works of my hands.
3. Lord, deliver brethren who prefer to be beggars amongst us, choosing to live like parasites on other brethren.
READING FOR TODAY: Exodus 14:31 – 16:36; Matthew 20:13 – 20:34