Comment:  The Bible principle of self-help and hard work is the major solution to poverty.  King Solomon under divine inspiration stated: “Slothfulness casteth into a deep sleep, and an idle soul shall suffer hunger”. (Proverbs 19:15).  In some cultures at present, the outlook of an educated man has been changed completely.  Many now acknowledge the significance of manual labour or engaging in menial jobs to earn a living.  Even educated young men of upper class do not hesitate to do all kinds of work, including furniture-making, fashion designing, automobile engineering, laundry services, driving etc.  They now feel that there is dignity in labour.  They must labour to earn their bread instead of being burdens to others.  Moreover, many now realize that an ordinary labourer without education is better than an idle educated man because he earns his bread with the sweat of his labour.

The text for today stresses the command and exhortation of St. Paul to the Thessalonian Christians to the effect that those of them observed to be “working not at all, but are busybodies” should, “with quietness…work, and eat their own bread”. (2 Thessalonians 3:11,12) Citing himself and his companions as examples earlier, he stated. “Neither did we eat any man’s bread for nought; but wrought with labour and travail night and day, that we might not be chargeable to any of you… but to make ourselves an example unto you to follow us.”  He added, “For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat.” – 2 Thessalonians 3:8-10.  See also Proverbs 21:25.