1 Thessalonians 4:11 - Part 2: Mind Your Own Business

                               

               1 Thessalonians 4:11

In the previous post we looked at the first part of this verse which focuses on living a quiet life, you can read it here.

In this post we will delve into the second portion of this verse, minding your own business.

...Mind Your Own Affairs...

"...and to aspire to live quietly, and to mind your own affairs, and to work with your hands, as we instructed you.." (ESV)

Minding your own business does not mean you isolate yourself from others or that you never get involved with other people. The word of God encourages us to interact with and work with others especially when it promotes the kingdom of God.

But there are some people who take it too far and too involved in the lives of others. 

2 Thessalonians 3:11

For we hear that some of you walk in idleness, not busy at work, but busybodies.

They gossip about others pretending it's because they want to help or pray for them, or they feel it is their duty to point out all the fault in the lives of others. They have a strong conviction that God has called them to do this and feel it is their duty to meddle.

Let your foot be seldom in your neighbour's house, lest he have his fill of you and hate you.

Proverbs 25:17 (ESV)

This verse from the book of Proverbs, warns us about the amount of time we spend in others personal space. Most people are happy to welcome guests into their homes, however, there comes a time when even the most hospitable person wants to enjoy time on their own.

Besides that, they learn to be idlers, going about from house to house, and not only idlers, but also gossips and busybodies, saying what they should not.

Timothy 5:13 (ESV)

In Timothy 5:9-13, Paul tells Timothy not to care for certain widows because they were idle, gossipers and busy bodies. Because they didn't have families to look after, they had nothing else to do except get involved in other peoples business.

Receiving Christ doesn't give us the license to pry into peoples lives. We should spend more time trying to make ourselves more Christlike instead of trying to change others. Meddling in other peoples affairs is an indication that you are not to be trusted.

People are more likely to share their problems with those who won't judge them. When someone knows that they can come to you and receive sound advice, they will always come back, this way you can involve yourself in the way that God intended. Then in doing so you will bring a positive change to their lives.