By C.J. Lloyd, August, 23 2024 

As we reflected on the Book of Acts last week, it is essential to note the role of generosity in the church community. While it is necessary to help brothers and sisters in our community, we are all called to live so that we do not become dependent on others because of our lack of work ethic.

As seen in 2 Thessalonians 3:10-12. The Apostle Paul addresses this issue directly, warning against those who refused to work and expected the church community to support them. These individuals were not simply in need but were choosing not to contribute, which was creating a burden on the generous members of the church.

Paul’s instruction is explicit: those who can work but choose not to should not expect the church to provide for them. He labels these individuals as ‘idle’ and commands them to earn their living (2 Thessalonians 3:12). This explicit instruction reminds us that each of us must carry our weight when we can, discouraging any sense of entitlement within the church community.

Although our focus is on Paul’s strong warning against entitlement, the instructions he gave were backed up in the books of First Peter and Hebrews.

• 1 Peter 4:10 NASB20: “As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another as good stewards of the multifaceted grace of God.” The impetus of this verse is every believer using their gifts to contribute.
• Hebrews 6:10-12 NASB20: “For God is not unjust so as to forget your work and the love which you have shown toward His name, by having served and by still serving the saints. And we desire that each one of you demonstrate the same diligence so as to realize the full assurance of hope until the end, so that you will not be sluggish, but imitators of those who through faith and endurance inherit the promises.” These references, while not identical to Paul’s advice, align with his teachings that believers should not become dependent on others when they are capable of contributing.

While the early church was filled with radical generosity, Paul warned this was not without boundaries. Today’s church faces similar challenges: balancing generosity with accountability. As giving trends fluctuate and societal values shift, the church must maintain both a spirit of giving and a call to responsibility. The lessons from the early church remind us that generosity is not about enabling idleness but empowering each member to contribute meaningfully to the community.