The answer is plain: “Whoever won’t work shouldn’t eat” (2 Thessalonians 3:10). This was spoken to and about indolent Christians! And it was an “authoritative” statement (as the Greek indicates); not merely a good suggestion. The principle is clear—he must not be allowed to sponge off anyone else.

Parents who allow children who are able and old enough to work this summer, to lie around grumping about what to do, or sitting around watching TV and playing video games when they—overburdened by tight funds hold down two jobs, work overtime, or just plain have a lot of house and garden work to do—make a serious mistake not to insist that such children get to work, either at remunerative occupations or otherwise.

Sure, give that hardworking college student a couple of weeks of rest, if you wish, but then send him out in search of work. Or give him a steady variety of chores that are of genuine help to the family. There is a spirit of indolence abroad among believers today that is unhealthy, and doesn’t bode well for the future of the church.