Some of you say that you want to do this or that, but you do nothing to accomplish it, and feel powerless to get very far. You do not ask for someone to question your effectiveness, and stay in the same place because of it. You allow others to pressure you to do what they want you to do each moment, and sacrifice what you know you need to do in the long run. You need to review where you are and compare it with where you need to be going on a regular basis, to be effective in whatever you do. A consumer is someone who uses materials around them, while a producer is someone who makes things that others need. The consumer does not need to plan as much as the producer, so by default, people pleasers, the lazy, or easily distracted people end up being consumers, and contribute only whatever is the minimum for their existence to continue.
Jesus Christ is a producer. He gave what he had to those who needed it, and He invested in the lives of others he trusted, and even those who were enemies of His. Jesus and His word have made a significant impact on countless lives, including my own. He still produces good things and meets needs today, through His followers. If you are following Jesus, you are a producer, because a Christian by definition does the will of Jesus Christ. A Christian can’t help it. A Christian does not need to ‘try hard’ to be a Christian (not that it is an easy life), they just keep in touch with their master, Jesus Christ, because they love Him, and make their effort to not slow down His Perfect Ministry to this confused world.
For example, if you were to claim to be a baseball player, yet not play baseball, you could be one of many things: a liar, a really confused baseball fan, some one who would like to be a baseball player (but never showed up for practice), or used to play baseball, and figure you keep the title after an early retirement.
If you are one of the above, you don’t have to continue to be. There is a real game going on, and you can be used as a valueable asset to the team. Stop pretending- and get in the game. Be a team player, come to practice and listen to the coach, it is the only way to play. There are some, however, who do not believe there is a game at all, they believe this whole team is confused. I hope they figure it out soon, because ignorance won’t send them to the world series.
-Ezra J. Engle
2Thessalonians 3:5- “May the Lord direct your hearts into God’s love and Christ’s perseverance.
(3:6) In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, we command you, brothers, to keep away from every brother who is idle and does not live according to the teaching you received from us.
(3:7) For you yourselves know how you ought to follow our example. We were not idle when we were with you,
(3:8) nor did we eat anyone’s food without paying for it. On the contrary, we worked night and day, laboring and toiling so that we would not be a burden to any of you.
(3:9) We did this, not because we do not have the right to such help, but in order to make ourselves a model for you to follow.
(3:10) For even when we were with you, we gave you this rule: “If a man will not work, he shall not eat.”
(3:11) We hear that some among you are idle. They are not busy; they are busybodies.
(3:12) Such people we command and urge in the Lord Jesus Christ to settle down and earn the bread they eat.
(3:13) And as for you, brothers, never tire of doing what is right.
(3:14) If anyone does not obey our instruction in this letter, take special note of him. Do not associate with him, in order that he may feel ashamed.
(3:15) Yet do not regard him as an enemy, but warn him as a brother.”