When we hear the phrase, "Mind your own business," we sometimes take offense, especially if we believe we are being accused of being nosey or meddlesome in someone else's affairs. Even in those instances when we really are being nosey, we don't like to be called out on it!
Sometimes the phrase is used as a smart-alecky response from someone who doesn't want to be questioned. No matter how and when the phrased is used, most of us do not like being told to "mind our own business."
Regardless of how we feel about the phrase, God tells us quite plainly in 1 Thessalonians 4:11-12 to "mind our own business...." Is God trying to offend or distance us? Of course not. On the contrary. God is actually speaking profound truth to us through that statement--truth about our purpose and His awesome plan for us:
"Mind"-- the noun form of the word implies intent, intellect, ingenuity. God wants us to be very intentional, intelligent and resourceful/creative in what we do. After all, we are created in the image of God, the one who embodies, employs and endows all of those characteristics, as evidenced in creation and in how God moves in our everyday lives. The verb form of the word, "mind," involves watching or caring for something or someone. We are taught to "mind our manners," we "mind the store," if someone asks us to "mind the children" we might respond by saying that "we don't mind" helping. God wants us to "mind," or be good stewards over what He gives us and to genuinely care about what we do.
"Your Own" -- God has designed gifts and tasks that are exclusively and specifically placed in our hands. We can't compare what we have been given with what others have or with what others have been called to do. A refrain from a popular Gospel song says it best, "What God has for me, it is for ME." Some of us are waiting for someone else to develop or lead a ministry that God told us to lead. If you've ever found yourself in a church or community that is lacking something that seems like a glaring omission to you, it could be that you have been sent there to birth it. If you find yourself thinking about what's necessary, drawing on your intellect and ingenuity as you plan it all out in your head, it might be yours to own up to.
"Business" -- As Christians, our "business" includes our calling as well as our everyday affairs. When we place the words, "mind your own" in front of the word, "business" we hear God telling us to be intentional, creative, intelligent, careful and watchful over that which we have been sent and equipped to do for the Kingdom (our calling), and in the way we conduct our everyday interactions with others, recognizing that wherever we are and whatever we do we are ambassadors for Christ. We are always on display, like it or not.
When people looked at Jesus, they saw a man who was always about His Father's business. Through Jesus Christ we have inherited the family business, and all of us have a job to do. If you don't know what your "business" is yet, make it your business to find out! None of us are here by accident-- we are here on purpose. And, if we are here on purpose, then we are here for a purpose.
By the time we put all that is required into "minding our own business" we won't have the time or interest to mind anyone else's business! If you find someone meddling too much into your business, just lovingly refer them to God's word in 1 Thessalonians 4 so they, too will understand the importance of each of us learning to "mind our own business."
BNcouraged!
Rev. Karen
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