THE THREE PRINCIPLES OF THE CHRISTIAN LIFE – “MIND YOUR OWN BUSINESS”

For some folks, interference in others’ matters interests them more than anything else. They simply love to poke their nose in matters that don’t concern them, and try to fiddle around. In the terribly bad cases, they have this “god-complex” coupled with their self-appointed status of leaders and rulers of everyone. I have come across many in this part of the world. I have also seen such meddlers peddling around all over the world – especially in the geo-political realm. Invariably such an attitude only messes up things badly. The serious the desire for the meddle, the serious the consequences. Sadly, none dares to bell the “bully” cat, and tell him that interference is intrusion, and that such things are unwelcome and not in anyone’s interest.

The LORD speaking through the apostle Paul, warns us TO MIND YOUR OWN BUSINESS – it simply means don’t poke your nose in others’ matters, instead, mind your own business. This is the second of the three pointers given to us in 1 Thessalonians 4:11.
– ’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

2- TO MIND YOUR OWN BUSINESS
As Christians we are called to focus or concentrate upon our own life and matters concerning our very own lives and its struggles. This is the sum and the substance of Paul’s wise exhortation “TO MIND YOUR OWN BUSINESS.” Such a behaviour promotes harmony and respect in the community, and the same in all our relationships in the world we live in.

It is good to note though – “Mind Your Own Business” does not mean that we live isolated or independent lives, separated from each other and unconcerned about the others. Wherever required, and asked for by the people, we can offer our help through suggestions, advises, services and help though money and material. This is Christ-like nature, and thoroughly Christian in its essence.

The instructions given by the LORD through the apostle Paul’s writings in 1 Thessalonians 4:11 are applicable to the whole Church of God. Charles Ellicott puts it quite eloquently. It should help us gain clarity about “minding our own business.”
– “Do your own business.–Not merely was each individual to do his own work, but the whole Church was to refrain from interfering ostentatiously with other Churches. In all languages, “to mind one’s own business” signifies rather the negative idea of ceasing to meddle than the positive idea of industry” – Charles Ellicott

Let us not forget the instructions of our LORD Jesus, given to us in the Bible, for our good and our blessing. We better KNOW it and PRACTICE it. Even so, the LORD help us.