Goldbrick

For we hear that some among you walk in idleness, not busy at work, but busybodies. 12Now such persons we command and encourage in the Lord Jesus Christ to do their work quietly and to earn their own living. (2 Thessalonians 3:11-12)

"Goldbrick" - one who shirks duty or responsibility.

Have you ever heard that term before? "He's a goldbricker," I heard when I worked at a heavy construction business, Brown and Root Marine Yard, on the Port of Houston. I laughed with everyone else, and then, at 19 years old, went home and asked my mom what that meant.

According to the online definitions, it came from the military; US Army specifically it noted. The ones I remember in work on the port were great at taking an article of work, like a broom or a shovel, and stand around talking, until a supervisor drew near. Then they were busy about the business at hand, throwing around orders, taking charge. They fooled no one at no time. Their true value was transparent and easily spotted. Our supervisor, a good friend of mine who was older than me, could smell out useless behavior which masked itself as useful from a mile away. A Vietnam battle veteran, he'd turn away with a look that I had learned from childhood meant he was not happy. Later that day, we'd see they checked out of work for the last time.

What we have to love about Paul is that his letters contain pearls of being one of us. He's a guy, talking to his fellow believers, in complex terms one minute, and then talking to the men like a man talks. "Some of you walk in idleness, not busy at work, but busybodies," he says as he gives final instructions to the believers then and today.

My good friend and mentor Juergan used to say it this way: "He's all foam and no beer." Paul was a little more eloquent than that, but the message is the same. 

Pray we are about the business at hand. Serve God in the talents we are given. Pray that at the end of the day, we leave all we have on the field or court of life, and leave nothing out.