“And that ye study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you; That ye may walk honestly toward them that are without, and that ye may have lack of nothing” (1 Thessalonians 4:11-12).
Introduction
Our lifestyles are constantly under investigation by the world. When we slip up they are quick to point out our failures. The way we live in the world reflects upon our commitment to Christ, so if we play the hypocrite then we not only ruin our own witness, but bring shame upon the church of God, and ultimately upon the name of Christ. “Let all things be done decently and in order” (1 Corinthians 14:40). We cannot hope to effectively share our faith with others if they have no respect for us because we have lived undisciplined lives.
Mind your own business
Paul mentions three aspects of our daily lives among the unredeemed to which we ought to pay attention:
1. Study to be quiet. This can be translated as, “Aim to lead a quiet life.” “That we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty” (1 Timothy 2:2) … “Now them that are such we command and exhort by our Lord Jesus Christ, that with quietness they work, and eat their own bread” (2 Thessalonians 3:12). This is the opposite of living disorderly. We need to make quietness our ambition. In the world ambition is a frenzied and self-promoting grasp for attention and position, but Paul prescribes the very opposite for the people of God. Inner peace, of spirit and soul, is a great strength to those who follow Christ.
2. Do your own business. We should understand this as meaning, “Do not meddle with other people’s lives by poking your nose into everybody’s business.” “He that passeth by, and meddleth with strife belonging not to him, is like one that taketh a dog by the ears” (Proverbs 26:17) … “But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or as a thief, or as an evildoer, or as a busybody in other men's matters” (1 Peter 4:15).
3. Work with your own hands. The believer should do the job he is paid to do. Instead of running around creating problems, we ought to labour for our daily bread and other things we need. The Greeks in the main were a lazy people who used slaves to do what they could have done themselves. Paul revealed that this was against the plan of God and therefore must not be emulated by the Thessalonians. “And labour, working with our own hands” (1 Corinthians 4:12). Another aspect of this can refer to those who continuously “sponge” off others.
Proper Christians
Our desire should be to behave honourable, righteously and holy amongst those who do not know Christ as Saviour. “Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying” (Romans 13:13) … “Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time” (Colossians 4:5) … “Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil” (1 Timothy 3:7). We must maintain a good testimony, for the Lord’s sake, as we live our daily lives amongst unbelievers. “Walk honestly” can be translated as “walk properly”, therefore we must be proper Christians.
Lack nothing
We have only ourselves to blame if we ruin our testimony because of bad behaviour. There are those who have lost employment due to living an undisciplined life and thus bring shame upon themselves, their family, and God.
Some of the Thessalonian believers may have become careless in their daily lives because they thought that the Lord Jesus Christ was going to return immediately. “Their expectation of the immediate coming of Christ led some enthusiasts among them to neglect their daily work and be dependent on the bounty of others” (Jamieson, Fausett, and Brown). There have been many Christian groups over the centuries that have done exactly this. No doubt they found it difficult to recover after the disappointment.
Conclusion
There is a concept known as “The Protestant Work Ethic”, the “belief in the moral value of work, thrift, and the responsibility of each person for his or her actions” (Encarta Dictionary), which has its foundation in Scripture texts such as these. “A Christian must not be an idler. A loafer cannot show forth the life of Christ” (People’s New Testament). The word of God does not support laziness, busybodies, and undisciplined lives. “Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise: Which having no guide, overseer, or ruler, Provideth her meat in the summer, and gathereth her food in the harvest. How long wilt thou sleep, O sluggard? when wilt thou arise out of thy sleep? Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep: So shall thy poverty come as one that travelleth, and thy want as an armed man” (Proverbs 6:6-11). Living the way God intended is the only lifestyle that pleases Him. When the unsaved see Christ glorified and magnified in our lives, they will either oppose us or desire to know Him as their Saviour too.
© 20/3/2008