Note 9 at 2 Th. 3:10: Paul previously dealt with this issue of laziness among the Thessalonians . There are no details given but apparently there was an obvious problem in this area. This may be the reason Paul chose not to receive personal offerings from the Thessalonians. He not only brought the teachings of the Word to bear on this situation but also his own example.

Note 10 at 2 Th. 3:10: There are some obvious exceptions to what Paul is commanding here. He is not referring to allowing those with a physical deformity to starve. There are many different scenarios in which a person is not able to work. This is not what Paul is referring to here. Paul is specifically targeting those who can work and yet choose not to. Paul is saying that the church should not help those people. If they are able to work, they need to. Indeed, it does not truly help an able-bodied person to give them a handout.

There are times when any one of us might be in financial trouble, and might need some assistance. But Paul is speaking against a misplaced compassion that rewards laziness. The support of today's able-bodied poor by government or charitable groups should stop.

The church has traditionally been the greatest friend of the truly destitute. Godly love compels us to help those in need. But just giving food or money to the poor is not the help they really need. They need the opportunity to work and be contributors instead of a takers. Paul's commandment here should be the guiding factor in helping the poor.

All assistance to the poor who are able-bodied should be tied to some form of work. If they don't work, they shouldn't be allowed to eat. That would motivate them to change their lifestyle in a hurry. Because this principle has not been followed, we now have second and third generation welfare recipients who have lost all motivation and dignity, which is not the type of charity that God advocates.