Lazy days 3: Be encouraging

We hear that some among you are idle and disruptive. They are not busy; they are busybodies. Such people we command and urge in the Lord Jesus Christ to settle down and earn the food they eat. And as for you, brothers and sisters, never tire of doing what is good. (2 Thessalonians 3 v 11-13)

So how do we encourage such people to get off their backsides and get involved with the nitty gritty of church life?

First up, busybodies. How do we turn the criticisers into critical workers in the church? Perhaps rather than getting drawn into “discussions” about how things are done badly (or smiling and saying nothing), we can gently encourage such people to be the solution to the problems they raise. Ask them to get involved and get them to agree to a specific time and task. It’s time to pull them off the substitutes’ bench, and put them on the pitch.

What about people we know who seem to sponge off others? Again, gentle suggestion is a good first step: whether to contribute more to their rent; to get involved in church work; to cook more meals / do more chores at home; or to pay for stuff more often, treating others.

If that’s ignored, we should follow Paul’s example, and “command and urge” them “in the Lord Jesus Christ to settle down and earn their bread”. Who do you need to do that with and how will you do it?

Let’s not join in with the criticisers when we see people being idlers and spongers. Let’s take positive action, be encouraging and “never tire of doing what is right”.