Even while we were with you, we gave you this command: "Those unwilling to work will not get to eat." Yet we hear that some of you are living idle lives, refusing to work and meddling in other people's business. We command such people and urge them in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ to settle down and work to earn their own living. As for the rest of you, dear brothers and sisters, never get tired of doing good. Take note of those who refuse to obey what we say in this letter. Stay away from them so they will be ashamed. Don't think of them as enemies, but warn them as you would a brother or sister.
(2 Thessalonians 3:10-15 NLT)
Entitlement, not those who are unable to work or those who can’t find work but those who think they deserve what they have not worked for, to those your feet are on the wrong path and it is time to wake up and look around you and see the world that you live in. The thought, “make the most of your situation” or “make the system work for you” is a trap because somewhere there are people working not only their share of the load but yours too. You are not maximizing the system you are using people but the fault is not all yours for society cannot differentiate between those who can’t work and those who won’t so it enables people to use the good will of others but just because you can use the system doesn’t mean you should. For, there is an unseen price that is demanded of you by the way you think and the lies you have believed. You have to believe a lie to justify your actions and it is your actions that condemn you. Read Luke 16:19-31 (the rich man and poor man) and Matthew 25:14-31 (to the three who the master gave talents) and Matthew 25:32-46 (as you have done to the least of these, so have you done to me) and Colossians 3:23 (work as unto the Lord).
You see the idea of entitlement keeps us from seeing the work the Lord of hosts has given us to do and one day we will be required to give an account of what we have done and what we have not done. So here on earth it is possible to “maximize the system” so that you can be comfortable without giving back but you are short-sighted because one day you will have to answer why you lived that way and we, your brothers and sisters in Christ, also have to answer why we did not confront you with the truth in love and to those who are doing right by working to earn what you receive do not respond in anger when you see someone using the system, more to the point using you but respond in love (Proverbs 15:1) “A gentle answer deflects anger, but harsh words make tempers flare.” Remembering God’s Word does not return void but it accomplishes that which pleases God (read Isaiah 55:11).
But each day the LORD pours His unfailing love upon me, and through each night I sing His songs, praying to God who gives me life.
(Psalms 42:8 NLT)
