Today I read 2 Thessalonians 3:6-15, telling the people to not feed disorderly people who are not working. Today I considered that you have to consider a person’s prior behavior before you decide whether to help them.

Don’t Work Don’t Eat

Paul tells us to get away from disorderly people and to not feed them if they are not working (2 Thessalonians 3:6-15). Some people go around gossiping and stirring up trouble. Since they are not contributing and are not working, they do not need to eat. Christians are to continue to do good deeds but stay away from the disorderly.

Questions and Thoughts for Today

Prepared people cannot help everyone. Even if a prepared person has extra supplies they can share, they need to consider the other person’s behavior and character before helping them. Is the person disorderly or a troublemaker? Is the person unwilling to work and put in effort? Is the person a gossip? If all of these apply it may be better to not feed that person.

What other questions would you ask yourself before deciding whether to help a person during a crisis or disaster?