Quote:
Originally Posted by Aquila
This verse isn't about Welfare. In context it reads:
2 Thessalonians 3:1-12 King James Version (KJV)
1 Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may have free course, and be glorified, even as it is with you:
2 And that we may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men: for all men have not faith.
3 But the Lord is faithful, who shall stablish you, and keep you from evil.
4 And we have confidence in the Lord touching you, that ye both do and will do the things which we command you.
5 And the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God, and into the patient waiting for Christ.
6 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.
7 For yourselves know how ye ought to follow us: for we behaved not ourselves disorderly among you;
8 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:
9 Not because we have not power, but to make ourselves an ensample unto you to follow us.
10 For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat.
11 For we hear that there are some which walk among you disorderly, working not at all, but are busybodies.
12 Now them that are such we command and exhort by our Lord Jesus Christ, that with quietness they work, and eat their own bread. This is about moochers (both in and out of the ministry) that mooch off of the church. It has nothing to do with agrarian welfare or social measures common at the time such as gleaning, the poor tithe, etc. These were all "rights" of the poor under God's Law. |
God's law provided for those who could not work, due to illness, injury or age. It did not provide for those who were fully able to work and provide for their families, and did not.
Welfare was meant originally to help people in bad times to have time to regroup and get back on their feet, not to prop their feet up forever at the expense of their tax-paying neighbors.