Today, we are going to finish a message from Pastor John Anderson of Pinecrest Baptist Church, McDonough, Georgia. In his message, he stuns us by telling us that there are people we shouldn’t help. While we may be tempted to think this is unchristian and cold hearted, he shows us Biblically why this is true.
If you missed reading yesterday’s devotional, go back and read it so that you can put his entire mini-sermon into context.
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- The Careless Person (The Lazy Person)
“For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat.” – 2 Thessalonians 3:10
There is a difference between someone who cannot work and someone who will not work. Scripture shows compassion toward weakness but confrontation toward laziness.
The lazy person often survives by attaching themselves to productive people. They rely on the generosity of others instead of developing discipline themselves.
Helping without expectation removes the very pressure that could lead to growth.
The book of Proverbs repeatedly warns that laziness leads to poverty, frustration, and wasted potential. “The soul of the sluggard desireth, and hath nothing.” – Proverbs 13:4
Leaders must remember this principle: rescue without responsibility produces dependency, not maturity.
Sometimes the most loving thing you can do is allow consequences to teach what comfort never will.
- The Contemptuous Person (The Mocking, Unteachable Person)
“He that reproveth a scorner getteth to himself shame… Reprove not a scorner, lest he hate thee.” – Proverbs 9:7–8
The mocker is not merely ignorant. He is resistant.
Correction becomes confrontation.
Wisdom becomes offense.
Instruction becomes insult.
An unteachable spirit cannot be helped because it refuses help.
Leaders waste enormous emotional energy trying to convince people who have already decided not to listen. Scripture warns against pouring wisdom into a heart that only intends to ridicule it.
Jesus Himself warned, “Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine” (Matthew 7:6).
This is not harshness. It is stewardship. Time, energy, and truth are sacred resources.
Teach the hungry. Invest in the willing. Correct the humble. But do not exhaust yourself chasing someone committed to resisting growth.
- The Critical Person (The Chronic Complainer)
“Do all things without murmurings and disputings.” – Philippians 2:14
Complaining drains vision. It magnifies problems and minimizes blessings. A chronic complainer is rarely looking for solutions. They are looking for validation of their dissatisfaction.
Leaders often feel pressure to keep trying to make complainers happy. The problem is that happiness is not their goal. Expression of discontent is.
Israel complained in the wilderness even while eating manna from heaven. Complaining is not circumstantial. It is spiritual.
“Neither murmur ye, as some of them also murmured, and were destroyed of the destroyer.” – 1 Corinthians 10:10
Helping a chronic complainer by continually accommodating them teaches them that negativity controls outcomes.
Leadership requires protecting the spirit of the group. Gratitude fuels momentum. Complaining kills it.
Final Leadership Thought
This is not a call to hardness. It is a call to wisdom.
Jesus loved sinners, but He did not enable sin. Paul helped the weak, but confronted the disorderly. Scripture calls leaders to discernment, not exhaustion.
Not everyone needs more help.
Some people need repentance.
Some need correction.
Some need consequences.
Some need time.
And some need to see that change will not happen until they take responsibility before God.
Wise leaders remember this truth: You are not called to fix everyone. You are called to faithfully steward your influence where it produces fruit.
Help the humble.
Invest in the teachable.
Strengthen the willing.
And trust God to do the work in hearts you cannot change.
*https://ministry127.com/five-people-god-warns-you-not-to-help
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