Devo 2 Thes 3

II Thessalonians Chapter 3:6-11
6In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, we command you, brothers, to keep away
from every brother who is idle and does not live according to the teaching you
received from us. 7For you yourselves know how you ought to follow our example.
We were not idle when we were with you, 8nor did we eat anyone’s food without
paying for it. On the contrary, we worked night and day, laboring and toiling so
that we would not be a burden to any of you. 9We did this, not because we do
not have the right to such help, but in order to make ourselves a model for you to
follow. 10For even when we were with you, we gave you this rule: “If a man will
not work, he shall not eat.” 11We hear that some among you are idle. They are not
busy; they are busybodies. 12Such people we command and urge in the Lord Jesus
Christ to settle down and earn the bread they eat.

Meditation:
1. Paul unabashedly uses the principle of imitation repeatedly in his writings,
because he knows that on its most fundamental level this is how spiritual
formation works. The formation of habits (even holy, patient, righteous,
giving habits) comes only by imitation until they become our own. In this
case, the issue is idleness, and Paul and his co-workers have modeled how
believers are to “work quietly and to earn their own living”.
2. What spiritual habits do I desire to develop?
3. What am I doing in preparation for the coming of Christ, “Idling”? “Working
quietly and earning own living”? “Not weary in doing what is right”? Lord,
help me to be alert and diligent in doing what is good to wait for your coming!

Personal Note:
The people that Paul talks about just idle and do not work as they awaits for Jesus to return.  They thought that what's the point of working and they excuse themselves by being lazy.  Paul and his co-workers showed by example that they "work hard and not be a burden".  It takes work to make $$$ but more importantly, it also takes work to make disciples and growing spiritually.

I desire to develop deeper prayer and Scripture meditation habits.  I would like to discipline myself for focused reflection on Jesus Christ periodically.

God, I need your help in providing me directions and passion in serving and working for your kingdom.  As I   work on the philosophy of ministry today, help me to be honest about who I am, what I am good at, what I am passionate about, and how to put it all together to make disciples for your glory.