A long time ago, my father taught me a very important principle:"There ain't no free lunch boy, if you want something, you have to work for it!"
In fact, you can give things away (just like the green woodpecker in the picture) but, someone still has to pay for the gift.
For far too long, Americans have been coddled and taught that the nanny-state will take care of them. This needs to change!
Hard work is NOT a dirty word! Christians need to work for what they receive. This is NOT a suggestion, but rather, apostolic INSTRUCTION!
Paul says...
2 Thessalonians, Chapter 3 (World English Bible)
6 Now we command you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you withdraw yourselves from every brother who walks in rebellion, and not after the tradition which they received from us. 7 For you know how you ought to imitate us. For we didn’t behave ourselves rebelliously among you, 8 neither did we eat bread from anyone’s hand without paying for it, but in labor and travail worked night and day, that we might not burden any of you, 9 not because we don’t have the right, but to make ourselves an example to you, that you should imitate us. 10 For even when we were with you, we commanded you this: “If anyone is not willing to work, don’t let him eat.” 11 For we hear of some who walk among you in rebellion, who don’t work at all, but are busybodies. 12 Now those who are that way, we command and exhort in the Lord Jesus Christ, that they work with quietness and eat their own bread.
(emp. added vss. 10-12)
Some will listen and go to work, others will practice laziness. Christians who refuse to work are rebellious and should be withdrawn from (disfellowshipped), just as Paul teaches.
Straight-forward teaching which contradicts today's liberal logic. But, that's the way it is- "There ain't no free lunch"!!!