“As for you, brothers, do not grow weary in doing good” (2 Thessalonians 3:13 ESV).
Paul’s words come near the close of his second letter to the Thessalonian believers. Some among them had grown idle, refusing to work, meddling in others’ affairs, and living off the generosity of the faithful. Rather than laboring quietly and responsibly, they had become distractions and burdens to the church. In contrast, Paul commended those who were faithfully working and urged them not to lose heart. The command, “do not grow weary in doing good,” is both pastoral and protective: pastoral, because Paul wanted to encourage the diligent; protective, because he didn’t want their discouragement to spread like the idleness of others. The Greek carries the sense of “don’t lose courage” or “don’t let discouragement cause you to stop.”
Paul reminds them that faithfulness in daily labor and service is itself a form of doing good. He wanted them to keep working as unto the Lord, not because everyone around them was doing their part, but because their true Master was Christ (cf. Col. 3:23).
There will always be those around us who seem to do less, give less, or care less. Their lack of diligence can tempt us to wonder if our own faithfulness matters. But Paul’s exhortation still speaks: Don’t grow weary. Keep doing the good work God has assigned you. Whether it’s serving in the church, raising a family, or working faithfully in your job, your labor is not in vain in the Lord (1 Cor. 15:58).
Don’t let the idleness of others drain your zeal. Remember who you’re working for. God sees. God rewards. The call is to stay faithful even when recognition or results seem distant.
PRAYER: Dear Father, thank You for giving us work to do in Your name. When we feel unseen or discouraged, remind us that we’re serving You, not men. Strengthen our hands to keep doing good and our hearts to keep trusting You. Help us to finish life’s race with faithfulness and joy. In Jesus’ name, amen.