“MIND YOUR OWN BUSINESS” – PLEASE DON’T MEDDLE IN OTHERS’ BUSINESS

Let us continue to look at *”TO MIND YOUR OWN BUSINESS”* and see what else can we learn from these words, as part of our ongoing meditation of 1 Thessalonians 4:11-12.
– ’11 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, 12 that you may walk properly toward those who are outside, and that you may lack nothing.” – 1 Thessalonians 4:11-12

“MIND YOUR OWN BUSINESS” in simpler words can also mean, *”PLEASE DO NOT MEDDLE IN OTHER PEOPLE’S BUSINESS.”* Strangely, we human beings have this great itch, to know what is happening with others, and would love to barge into their affairs, and meddle in their lives. The LORD addresses this matter in the following verses. 
– “12 Indeed, we hear that some among you are leading an undisciplined and inappropriate life, doing no work at all, but acting like busybodies [meddling in other people’s business].” – 2 Thessalonians 3:12 Amplified Bible
– “13 At the same time they will also learn to be idle, going from house to house and being not only idle, but also gossips and busybodies, discussing things they should not mention.” – 1 Timothy 5:13
– “15 Indeed, none of you should suffer as a murderer or thief or wrongdoer, or even as a meddler.” – 1 Peter 4:15
– “13 Like one who grabs a dog by the ears [and is likely to be bitten] Is he who, passing by, stops to meddle with a dispute that is none of his business.” – Proverbs 26:13 Amplified Bible

When we look at the above verses, we understand that, there are two points – idleness and meddling. They both are not only closely linked, but in fact, one leads to the other. Meddling is listed along with serious sins, because it tears down, and destroys relationship, rather than building them up.

Charles Ellicott observes this about what Paul is saying in 1 Thessalonians 4:11.
– “…”to mind one’s own business” signifies rather the negative idea of ceasing to meddle than the positive idea of industry.”

Berean Study Bible Notes lists the following as the  Practical outflow from the words of Paul “TO MIND YOUR OWN BUSINESS.”
– Guarding conversations from gossip.
– Respecting others’ responsibilities and boundaries.
– Focusing energy on the stewardship God has actually assigned to you—family, vocation, ministry—rather than critiquing everyone else’s.

Most times we are ignorant and blind to all the problems we ourselves have; hence, people love to poke their nose into others’ matters. If we are truly interested to meddle in matters that don’t belong to us, then we should be meddling to help them, with their struggles; help them with things that they are fighting with. We should be desiring to build people, and their lives.
– “41 And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother’s eye, but perceivest not the beam that is in thine own eye? 42 Either how canst thou say to thy brother, Brother, let me pull out the mote that is in thine eye, when thou thyself beholdest not the beam that is in thine own eye? Thou hypocrite, cast out first the beam out of thine own eye, and then shalt thou see clearly to pull out the mote that is in thy brother’s eye.” – Luke 6:41-42

The biblical idea and ideal of a community, and one big human family is destroyed, when people wish to meddle, gossip, and want to know the juicy tid bits about others. Many times such things are shared through prayers requests, made on behalf of others.
– “To attend to their own concerns, without interfering with the affairs of others…The injunction here is one of the beautiful precepts of Christianity so well adapted to promote the good order and the happiness of society. It would prevent the impertinent and unauthorized prying into the affairs of others, to which many are so prone, and produce that careful attention to what properly belongs to our calling in life, which leads to thrift, order, and competence.” – Albert Barnes 

The wholesome human relationships, that the LORD speaks about, and desires so very much, is something that we should be desiring too. “Mind your own business” does not contradict what the Bible, when it says…
– “4 Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.” – Philippians 2:4
– “24 Let no one seek his own, but each one the other’s well-being.” – 1 Corinthians 10:24

When we are truly and sincerely concerned about others, and their affairs, we should be mindful of what the LORD is desiring from us; also, we ought to know and realise, how wicked and sinful our human hearts are.
– “41 And why do you look at the speck in your brother’s eye, but do not perceive the plank in your own eye? 42 Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Brother, let me remove the speck that is in your eye,’ when you yourself do not see the plank that is in your own eye? Hypocrite! First remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck that is in your brother’s eye.” – Luke 6:41-42

May the LORD help us not to meddle in the affairs of others. Instead, may we seek the LORD to help us to be, constructive and helpful towards others, in all their struggles, and with all their problems. May we sincerely desire to foster the wholesome human relationships, that the LORD so eagerly desires from us. Even so, the LORD help us.