Does working and earning one own keep apply to those in full time ministry today? To individual Christians? 540 - 8 - 3

1 Thessalonians 5:21, “Prove (G1381) all things; hold fast that which is good.”

G1381 - to test (literally or figuratively); by implication to approve: - allow, discern, examine, X like, (ap-) prove, try.

Paul was very emphatic concerning setting a good example by paying one’s own way in 2 Thessalonians 3:8-12. 2 Thessalonians 3:10, “For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat.”

In total contrast is Tele-evangelist Creflo Dollar.

Creflo Dollar launches appeal to buy $65 million private plane for evangelism

http://www.christiantoday.com/article/televangelist.creflo.dollar.launches.appeal.to.buy.65.million.private.jet.for.evangelism/49887.htm

This article was posted on Facebook and generated many comments including a post referring to Mr. Dollar’s doctrine as “The name it and claim it, grab it and blab it, believe it receive it.” Another poster said that missionaries in Third World countries just want to have a bicycle.

Those Third World missionaries are closer to the dedication of Christ then is Mr. Dollar. Jesus walked the earth for 3 ½ years in sandals in homespun. Luke 9:58, “And Jesus said unto him, Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head.” Jesus and His disciples “turned the world upside down.”

Jesus said in Matthew 10:10, “Nor scrip for your journey, neither two coats, neither shoes, nor yet staves: for the workman is worthy of his meat.” IMO, this applies to those in full-time Bible-based ministry today, certainly “the workman is worthy of his meat.”

I find that Matthew 25:30-46 is often quoted to show that Christians are to give to the poor, etc. These verses are in the context of the Sheep and Goat judgment which I understand is judgment based on treated the brethren of Jesus, the Jews.

Sluggards are criticized in the book of Proverbs:

Proverbs 6:6, “Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise:”

Proverbs 13:4, “The soul of the sluggard desireth, and hath nothing: but the soul of the diligent shall be made fat.”

Proverbs 20:4, “The sluggard will not plow by reason of the cold; therefore shall he beg in harvest, and have nothing.”

Proverbs 10:4, “He becometh poor that dealeth with a slack hand: but the hand of the diligent maketh rich.”

Proverbs 19:15, “Slothfulness casteth into a deep sleep; and an idle soul shall suffer hunger.”

Why does Paul instructs Christians to keep away from idle Christians or those who don't follow sound teaching? 540 - 8 - 1

2 Thessalonians 3:13, “But ye, brethren, be not weary in well doing.” I find that family and/or those who consider themselves to be Christians are the most difficult to witness to in these day of the church of the Laodicea’s.

My brother is typical of many calling themselves Christians. To him attending church once in a while and doing good deeds is enough. As an idle Christian, he often denigrates my intensive study of the Word. Then there is a good friend who considers herself more in tune with the earth and thinks that I’m obsessed by an out of date book, the Bible. Sigh…

Six months of the year I live in a senior RV park which has a small library and a large recreation hall. The library is a perfect setting for a Bible study so this season I have started suggesting that I would like to start a Bible study in the fall. I have been met by the rolling of eyes and general lack of interest. Often mentioned is that the church that someone was brought up in turned him/her off from any form of religion. A number practice their own version of Christianity. So, as I attempt to start a Bible study in the park, I will keep Paul’s instructions in mind.

Also in keeping with 2 Thessalonians 3:7 I will attempt to lead by example, “For yourselves know how ye ought to follow us: for we behaved not ourselves disorderly among you.”

2 Thesslonians 3:6, “Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye withdraw (G4724) yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly (G814), and not after the tradition (G3862) which he received of us.”

G4724 - properly to set fast (“stall”), that is, (figuratively) to repress (reflexively abstain from associating with): - avoid, withdraw self.

G814 - irregularly (morally): - disorderly.

G3862 - a precept; specifically the Jewish traditionary law: - ordinance, tradition.

2 Thessalonians 3:14, “And if any man obey not our word by this epistle, note that man, and have no company with him, that he may be ashamed (G1788). Yet count him not as an enemy, but admonish (G3560) him as a brother.”

G1788 - to invert, that is, (figuratively and reflexively) in a good sense, to respect; or in a bad one, to confound: - regard, (give) reverence, shame.

G3560 - to caution or reprove gently: - admonish, warn.

Christians can be a great stumbling block to unbelievers who looked for any justification to reject the Gospels. Gandhi was asked what kept him from becoming a Christian and he replied Christians.

For what purpose were the Thessalonians called? 540 - 7 - 1

Matthew 22:14, “For many are called, but few are chosen.” A man was not chosen as he had no wedding garment and was therefore cast into outer darkness. The Church is called to be a separate people called out of darkness and into light.

2 Corinthians 6:17, “Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you.”

1 Peter 2:9, "But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God's own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light"

1 Thessalonians 2:12, “That ye would walk worthy (G516) of God, who hath called (G2564) you unto His Kingdom and glory.”

G516 - after a godly sort, worthily.

G2564 - to “call” (properly aloud, but used in a variety of applications, directly or otherwise)

1 Thessalonians 4:7, “For God hath not called us unto uncleanness (G167), but unto holiness (G38).”

G167 - impurity (the quality), physically or morally: - uncleanness.

G38 - properly purification, that is, (the state) purity; concretely (by Hebraism) a purifier: - holiness, sanctification.

1 Corinthians 6:19-20, “What? Know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.”

The Thessalonians are, as are all believers, the temple of the Holy Ghost and therefore called to be discerning, glorify God, lead a purified life and more.

2 Thessalonians 2:13, “But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth:”

Believers are, or course, justified so now to work out sanctification.

2 Thessalonians 2:14-15, “Where-unto he called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle.”

This quote from e-sword is insightful when considering the responsibilities of the called, “It is required of those who have professed Christianity that they live according to the precepts of the Gospel, that they be not accounted disorderly persons devoid of the divine love and hope which they profess. If Christ is allowed to direct our love upon Himself, it will rectify all our affections toward men and keep us in the attitude of expectation of His momentary coming.”

Why will God send unbelievers a strong delusion 540 - 7 - 2

I've long been intrigued by the verses Matthew 12:31-32, “31, Wherefore I say unto you, All manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men: but the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost shall not be forgiven unto men. 32,And whosoever speaketh a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but whosoever speaketh against the Holy Ghost, it shall not be forgiven him, neither in this world, neither in the world to come.”

Backing up a few verses seems to hold the answer. Matthew 12:24, “But when the Pharisees heard it, they said, This fellow doth not cast out devils, but by Beelzebub the prince of the devils.” Here the Pharisees were ascribing the work which Jesus does/ did in the power of the Holy Spirit to Satan which is “a sin unpardonable here or hereafter.” And today those who hold to the truth of the Word are often demonized and those who pervert it are honored and well rewarded.

In a world which seems to be upside down, where good is called bad and bad is called good, how much of this delusion is due to the Pharisees today? Most religious organizations have sold themselves out to gain their nonprofit status under IRS, 501c3 Christian churches, ministries and organizations. According to an article that has been floating around the Internet, “the Christian church has been gutted. It has had his heart and all of its inward parts removed just as completely as the slaughter house animal on its way to being dismembered for market the church can say nothing and do nothing.”

 Paul admonishes church leaders in second Timothy 4:2 to “Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.” Rather, Paul’s message in second Timothy seems to be very relevant today. 2 Timothy 4:3-4, “3, For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; 4, And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fable.”

2 Thessalonians 2:10-12, “10, And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. 11, And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: 12, That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.”

In my opinion, today that the majority of people are so deluded by Satan and his minions in organized religion that they are rushing down the wide path that leads to destruction.