Paul provided clear counsel in 2 Thessalonians 3 to address those who refuse to work and try to live in sloth off the hard work of others. If anyone is not willing to work, then he is not to eat either. God does not want us to be lazy and be a burden on others, even if they are willing to support us.

      6Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you keep away from every brother who leads an unruly life and not according to the tradition which you received from us. 7For you yourselves know how you ought to follow our example, because we did not act in an undisciplined manner among you, 8nor did we eat anyone’s bread without paying for it, but with labor and hardship we kept working night and day so that we would not be a burden to any of you; 9not because we do not have the right to this, but in order to offer ourselves as a model for you, so that you would follow our example. 10For even when we were with you, we used to give you this order: if anyone is not willing to work, then he is not to eat, either. 11For we hear that some among you are leading an undisciplined life, doing no work at all, but acting like busybodies. 12Now such persons we command and exhort in the Lord Jesus Christ to work in quiet fashion and eat their own bread. 13But as for you, brethren, do not grow weary of doing good.

      14If anyone does not obey our instruction in this letter, take special note of that person and do not associate with him, so that he will be put to shame. 15Yet do not regard him as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother.

Receiving and giving help in times of emergency or exceptional hardship for those who are genuinely trying to work and provide for themselves, to the extent they are able, is good. However,  it is wrong for people to live in sloth, burdening others indefinitely without being willing to work themselves.

This principle applies today for all those who are taking money from government. The government does not have its own money. It takes money from others who earned it on the basis of their own hard work… and it does so typically against their will. God never intended for people to be dependent on the government, but rather on God. When we filter help through the government, we even take away the premise of thankfulness and voluntary giving in God’s name. Instead people perceive it as their right to receive someone else’s money. It encourages them to continue as a dependent of “free” money. It discourages hard work and self sufficiency.

Work hard and earn your keep. Do not be a burden on others when you are able to work by choosing not to do so.

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Remember that all you have belongs to God. Manage your money God’s way. Visit