"Little Red Hen"

We live in a world where many have come to an expectation to be served without much in the way of serving others.

Far too many are growing up in a world where they feel entitled, from the most humble to those in the highest ranks of politics. 

Today I want to share a humorous story with a serious side to it as well. 

We begin with our scripture text from 2 Thessalonians 3:7-13.

"For you yourselves know how you ought to follow us, for we were not disorderly among you;
8 nor did we eat anyone's bread free of charge, but worked with labor and toil night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you,
9 not because we do not have authority, but to make ourselves an example of how you should follow us.
10 For even when we were with you, we commanded you this: If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat.
11 For we hear that there are some who walk among you in a disorderly manner, not working at all, but are busybodies.
12 Now those who are such we command and exhort through our Lord Jesus Christ that they work in quietness and eat their own bread.
13 But as for you, brethren, do not grow weary in doing good." (NKJV)


            This is the story of; 
              "Little Red Hen"


"Once upon a time there was a Little Red Hen who scratched about in the barnyard until she discovered some grains of wheat.

She called all her neighbors and said,
"If we plant this wheat we will have bread to eat. Who will help me plant it?"

"Not I," said the Cow. 
"Not I," said the Duck.
"Nor I," said the Pig.
"Not I," said to Goose. 

"Then I will," said the Little Red Hen. And she did. The wheat grew tall and ripened into golden grain.

"Who will help me reap my wheat," asked the Little Red Hen.
"Not I," said the Duck.
"Out of my classification," said the Pig.
"I would lose my seniority," said the Cow.
"I would lose my unemployment compensation," said the Goose.

"Then I will," said the Little Red Hen.
And she did. 

At last came time to bake bread. "Who will help me to bake the bread," asked the Little Red Hen.

"Oh, that would be overtime for me," said the Cow.
"I would lose my welfare benefits," said the Duck.
"I am a dropout and have never learned how," said the Pig.
"If I am to be the only helper, that is discrimination," said the Goose.

"Then I will," said the Little Red Hen.
She baked five loaves and held them up for her neighbors to see. They all wanted some.

In fact, they demanded a share. But the Little Red Hen said, "No, I can eat the five loaves myself."
"Excess profit," cried the Cow.
"Capitalistic Leech," screamed the Duck.
"I demand equal rights," yelled the Goose.
And the Pig just grunted.

So they painted "unfair" picket signs and marched round and round the Little Red Hen shouting obscenities.

When the government agent came, he said to the Little Red Hen, "You must not be greedy." 

"But I earned the bread," said the Little Red Hen. 

"Exactly," said the agent. "That is the wonderful free-enterprise system. Anyone in the barnyard can have as much as he wants.
But under our modern government regulations the productive workers must divide their product with the idle."
So they continued to live, including the Little Red Hen who smiled and clucked. But her neighbors wondered why she never baked anymore bread."

Is this fitting today? I believe so.

When we understand God's Word, it should change us and our behaviour. Our "religious" teaching and upbringing should never cause us to change God's Word.

Do you feel entitled to receive this world's goods as others do the work? Or do you feel obligated, as you understand God's Word, to serve others because of all Christ has done for us?
God Bless...and get to work!