2 Thessalonians 3:7-9 - Following the Example of Naomi and the Apostle Paul

2 Thessalonians 3:7-9 (ESV)

[7] For you yourselves know how you ought to imitate us, because we were not idle when we were with you, [8] nor did we eat anyone’s bread without paying for it, but with toil and labor we worked night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you. [9] It was not because we do not have that right, but to give you in ourselves an example to imitate.

From the book of Ruth, we noted that Naomi was a selfless woman of faith. These are godly characteristics for every believer. Naomi was Industrious. She was quiet. She was in the background of the story. Yet she was actively involved throughout the whole story from beginning to end. She was respectful and submissive to those in authority, but she was not afraid to take initiative. When her family was gone she made the decision to go home. She counseled her daughters-in-law according to what she thought was best for them. She encouraged Ruth when she went out to glean. She counseled her about where to glean when Ruth came back after her first day gleaning in Boaz’s fields. She put events in motion that resulted in Boaz stepping into the role of Redeemer. Naomi may have been quietly in the background, but she was industrious.


In 2 Thessalonians the Apostle Paul reminds believers of his own example of industrious living. He did not sit around waiting for someone to care for him. He did not demand that others pick up his tab. He labored “night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you” (2Thess 3:8). He challenged the Thessalonians to follow his example, even going so far as to say, “If anyone is not willing to work, let him not eat” (2Thess 3:10). Independence is not a Christian virtue. We need one another. But neither is dependence. God calls us to take responsibility for our lives. When there are those who are incapable of caring for themselves, then we as the church should step in and help. But, those who are capable should take responsibility for themselves.


Naomi had no way of working her fields or providing for herself, but even then she did not sit idly by waiting to die, or waiting for someone to fix it. Perhaps industrious is not the best word to describe her, but whatever the proper word, she was willing to take the initiative to do what needed to be done to care for her daughter-in-law. We would do well to follow her example.