Professional beekeepers say that you never want to “rob a hive” (remove the honeycomb to extract the honey) on a rainy day. On rainy days the bees are typically in a bad mood because they are stuck in the hive. They really do not like the rain. However, pick a sunny day because on sunny days the bees are out working, and they are always the happiest when they are working.
Our Creator knew that man needed work to do, so He assigned Adam to “tend and keep” the Garden of Eden (Genesis 2:15). Paul understood this principle, as is evidenced in his words to the brethren in Thessalonica.
For even when we were with you, we commanded you this: If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat. For we hear that there are some who walk among you in such a disorderly manner, not working at all, but are busybodies. Now those who are such we command and exhort through our Lord Jesus Christ that they work in quietness and eat their own bread. (2 Thessalonians 3:10-12)
Raymond Kelcy noted that Paul used the imperfect tense, which means the apostle repeatedly commanded them. The ones who habitually refused to earn a living were to be refused aid by their brethren.
Unfortunately, the same people who refuse to do anything to help themselves often fill their hours telling others how to do their business. It really is impossible to remain idle. Those who do not busy themselves taking care of their own needs and those of their family will be actively doing things that harm both their physical and spiritual families. The apostle commanded, thereby exercising authority he had from the Lord, and exhorted or called them to his side to lovingly encourage them to change their ways.
The church, God’s family, can learn a great lesson from Paul’s instructions. Each of us, as members of the body, has a job to do (Romans 12:4-5). We ought to stay busy doing the work God has made us best suited to do. This will keep us happy and make it less likely that we will hurt the work of the Lord by becoming busybodies in other men’s business.
