Why 20% of the People Doing 80% of the Work is Not Biblical!

2 Thessalonians 3:6-10 In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, we command you, brothers and sisters, to keep away from every believer who is idle and disruptive and does not live according to the teaching you received from us. 7 For you yourselves know how you ought to follow our example. We were not idle when we were with you, 8 nor did we eat anyone’s food without paying for it. On the contrary, we worked night and day, laboring and toiling so that we would not be a burden to any of you. 9 We did this, not because we do not have the right to such help, but in order to offer ourselves as a model for you to imitate. 10 For even when we were with you, we gave you this rule: “The one who is unwilling to work shall not eat.”

In the closing chapter of Paul's 2nd letter to the Thessalonians, Paul gets very practical.  He addresses the issue of "idleness". And it seems that specifically he is addressing those in the community who had grown lazy and also were causing disruption.  Paul points out he and his colleagues example, as they did not expect to be given handouts, but to work for what they ate.  Paul was not against receiving generous gifts, but he was against having a sense of entitlement for them.

Paul is basically saying, "If you don't work you don't eat!"  He is pointing out that we have a responsibility to each other in the body of Christ to do our fair share.  Everyone always points out the "Paretto Principle" which says that 20% of the people do 80% of the work.  But Paul is saying that 100% of the people need to do 100% of the work.  The 20% are overfunctioning and the 80% are underfunctioning.  20% need a rest and 80% need some exercise.   

Part of our walk with Christ is doing our part in situations where help is needed.  We see this in relief efforts for victims of natural disasters, feeding the homeless, and caring for the abused and addicted.  We need to do our part in this world.  It is easy to sit back and say "ain't it awful out there!"  If you see an issue of injustice in the world, start a charity. If you are disgusted with politics, run for office. Christians should be leaders in helping solve the world's greatest problem.  We shouldn't sit back and be idle waiting for Jesus to return. We should be busy doing the things he commanded us to do, so we can be ready when he returns.