One of society’s biggest problems is the advent of social media. Many social media platforms, such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Snapchat, have exploded in popularity over the last decade. While they all have significant advantages, disadvantages exist, as with all things. Unfortunately, these social media platforms have unleashed a side of humanity without boundaries. Too many people use social media to “stick their noses” in other people’s business. Many people open up for such action by sharing too much information. Yet, seeing others react or initiate conversations about people with little regard for consequences is sad.
In our text this week, the Holy Spirit pointedly tells us, as believers, to mind our own business. In other words, it is not suitable for us to constantly be up in other people’s lives seeking to stir up trouble.
You may recall that we ended our last study with 1 Thessalonians 4:9.
But as touching brotherly love ye need not that I write unto you: for ye yourselves are taught of God to love one another.
(1 Thessalonians 4:9)
KJV Bible
In this verse, the Holy Spirit commends the Thessalonican believers for their brotherly love. In fact, He states that He “need not” write unto them about their love for others. As we continue to verse 10, the Holy Spirit follows that up with this statement.
And indeed ye do it toward all the brethren which are in all Macedonia: but we beseech you, brethren, that ye increase more and more;
(1 Thessalonians 4:10)
KJV Bible
Their challenge was not about loving others; they were already doing that. Instead, the Holy Spirit encourages them to keep doing it and increase their love. As believers, we must grow each day spiritually. Our spiritual growth is often measured by the actions that we take. For instance, if you do not love others as a believer, the Holy Spirit says to start. However, if you learn and practice loving others, the Holy Spirit says, “Good job! Now increase it by loving others even more.” As I stated in my last blog post, our daily ability to live by faith directly relates to how much time we spend in God’s Word. Faith comes by hearing and by hearing the Word of God according to Romans 10:17. Spiritual growth then is facilitated by time spent studying Scripture. If you want to increase in areas of your life (i.e., brotherly love), then learn what God’s Word says about it.
Nevertheless, the point the Holy Spirit drives home in verse 10 of our text is simply this. Keep growing spiritually! Don’t be satisfied with the status quo; instead, seek to increase your faith in Him.
Now comes some instruction that many of us genuinely need to heed.
And that ye study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you;
(1 Thessalonians 4:11)
KJV Bible
This verse encourages us to live a life free from distraction. The essence of this verse is summed by the words “do your own business.” In today’s vernacular, we say, “mind your own business.” God does not call us as believers to be busybodies minding the affairs of others. Instead, the New Testament teaching is always for us to manage our business, paying particular attention to our personal walk with the Lord. Christ Himself taught this very fact.
Judge not, that ye be not judged. For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again. And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother’s eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye? Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me pull out the mote out of thine eye; and, behold, a beam is in thine own eye? Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother’s eye.
(Matthew 7:1-5)
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Without going into great detail, this passage simply tells us we must be concerned with our problems. We spend way too much time trying to fix other people when the truth is we need to better ourselves. In our text, the Holy Spirit is saying the same thing differently. He instructs us to “be quiet,” “do your own business,” and “work with your own hands.” The reality is this. If we are honest with ourselves, we know much that needs fixing.
Consequently, the believer who “study” to do so will not have the time to spend poking around in other people’s business. By the way, you will note that this is a command and not a suggestion. Look again at 1 Thessalonians 4:11, noting the last phrase of that verse.
And that ye study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you;
(1 Thessalonians 4:11)
KJV Bible
Remember that any time we read Scripture, we must recognize that this is God’s Word, not man’s. Thus, when it says, “we commanded you,” God commands you. Therefore, He is commanding that we mind our own business. We are to focus our efforts on living by faith daily through obedience to God’s Word. That is the one thing we must study and not worry about what others say or do especially other brothers and sisters in Christ. Show brotherly love, increase your faith, and mind your own business. That is the message.
As we conclude, the Holy Spirit tells us the end goal. As we focus on our personal walk with the Lord by minding our business, we walk “honestly” toward those outside the faith.
That ye may walk honestly toward them that are without, and that ye may have lack of nothing.
(1 Thessalonians 4:12)
KJV Bible
As believers, it always comes back to God’s one purpose for us as we live here. We are to be witnesses for Him. Thus, as we focus on growing spiritually by living a simple life of obedience to Him, we become the right kind of witness to those who do not know Christ. I am sure many of you reading this blog have family members, neighbors, co-workers, and friends who have not accepted Christ as their personal Savior. All they know about Christ may be what they see in you each day. You are salt and light. If you, as a believer, are acting like the world and not living a faithful life of obedience before them, you are not walking honestly. They need to know the truth of sin, its penalty, and the coming judgment. True love for others is when you are brutally honest with them to save them. Living like the world hides the fact that Christ came to save them. However, you become a faithful witness for Christ when you live God’s way.
Now, there is one last benefit to minding your business through obedience to God’s Word. It is this! You will “lack of nothing.” In other words, true satisfaction in this life comes from aspiring to please God by living in faithful obedience to His Word. Nothing else will satisfy. Many seek power, popularity, and possessions thinking these things will bring great satisfaction. Yet, when they obtain them, they are never satisfied. No, true joy comes in knowing Christ and living for Him.
But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
(Matthew 6:33)
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