OUR DAILY BREAD             Sat., April 1, 1995
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READ: 2 Thessalonians 3:6-15


                    CUCKOO BEHAVIOR

   "There are some who walk among you in a disorderly
     manner, not working at all, but are busybodies."

                        -- 2 Thessalonians 3:11

The European cuckoo bird is a freeloader.  When spring
comes, it doesn't construct a home for its yearly brood.
Instead, the female invades the nest of some unsuspecting
bird and lays her egg there.  The cuckoo's offspring is
left to be hatched and cared for by its "foster parent."

While still featherless and blind, the intruder soon
dominates the nest by pushing the rightful occupants
over the edge to their death.  Then it monopolizes all the
attention of its new parents.

The selfish habits of the cuckoo family sound a lot like
the irresponsible behavior that existed among believers in
the early Thessalonian church (2 Th. 3:11).  Those who
sponged off others, lived undisciplined lives, and did no
work were warned by the apostle Paul to change their ways.
Their refusal to work involved more than just being allergic
to perspiration.  They were referred to as busybodies and
disorderly.  "They were," says one commentator, "at nothing
working, yet too busily working."

When we neglect our God-given duties and begin interfering
in the affairs of others, the result can be disastrous.
Christian, beware of "cuckoo" behavior!  Instead, faithfully
accomplish the work God has given you to do.

                                -- Martin R. De Haan II

        We must not meddle in affairs
         To which we're not assigned;
      Instead, let's do our work for God
            The Way He has designed.

                                --  Anon.

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           THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
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       No one is unemployed who minds
             his own business.

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THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:  1 Kings 8-10

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Our Daily Bread, having originated from his distribution to the 
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