“That you also aspire to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you”
– 1Thessalonians 4:11
Exposition:
It is far
easier to talk about others than about ourselves. We can comfortably point out
their misdeeds, wittily give them suggestions, and self-righteously condemn
them. On the contrary, it is difficult for us to even admit our own mistake, to
take our own advice, and often justify ourselves by saying, “Nobody’s perfect.”
It was so even among the Thessalonian Christians. Some of them were idle busybodies.
Apostle Paul instructed them how Christians ought to live particularly in anticipation
of the return of Jesus Christ.
There’s a
play of word in this instruction. Those who were busy meddling in the business
of others but idle in their own affairs should be idle in others’ affairs and
be busy in their own works. The Greek culture which was in Thessalonica and
elsewhere considered manual labor to be the work of slaves. Paul taught that
Christian culture has a high view of vocation: everyone must work for a living.
Paul demonstrated that even he, a full-time minister of the gospel, worked
diligently not only for his living but to help others. Christians are not to
steal or beg, rather they must work laboriously that they have enough not only
for themselves but to help others too (Acts 20:35; Eph4:28).
We aren’t
supposed to sell everything we have, stay idle, and wait for the return of
Christ. We must be productive in all good works, also accumulating treasures in
heaven, and befriending more eternal friends through our transient wealth. Above
all, would we work on our own sanctification first and far more than we desire
to see the work of sanctification in the lives of others?
Personal
Reflection:
· Could some
of the things I have said or done were actually meddling the affairs of others,
and not really helping them?
Personal
Commitment:
· To be more
concerned with my own personal sanctification than with the sanctification of
others.
Prayer:
Lord, help me to remain quiet and calm in the areas where I ought to be
and be busy in all good works. Help me to be forgiving, compassionate, and generous
to others as you have been to me. Amen!