How should a Christian respond to someone who will not work?
Please understand, I’m not speaking of a person that may be temporarily un-employeed. I’m not talking about someone with physical or mental limitations. I’m not speaking of those young in age or well up into years. I’m speaking of those who simply wait on others to provide what they need because others will. I’m speaking of the ones that are strung out on drugs and alcohol that continue to make decisions that lead them into great despair. I’m speaking of those that have enormous amounts of pride that keep them from submitting to the rules of a shelter or recovery house. I’m a very compassionate person and it’s hard for me to see someone in need and not give them at least something. But lately God has really been stirring in my spirit the question, are you helping or enabling? I want to serve God. I want to live a life that’s pleasing to him. I want to minister to others physically and Spiritually. However, I don’t want to be the one that keeps someone in a destructive pattern because I enable them to survive there.
2 Thessalonians 3:10 says “For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat.”