Paul the
apostle was well pleased with the manner in which the Thessalonians
loved not only their fellow brethren, but also people in Macedonia.
He desired for them to “increase more and more” in their
love for one another, and in chapter four and verse eleven of his
letter, he gave them instructions concerning being “quiet”
and doing their “own business” where we read:
And that
you study to be quiet, and to do your own business,
and to
work with your own hands, as we commanded you;
The
verse begins, “And that you study to be quiet, and to do
your own business,...” Paul
began with the phrase, “And that you” which
refers to the Thessalonian church members “study”
which means “to be actuated by love of honor, be ambitious, strive
earnestly and make it one's aim” “to be quiet”
or “rest, not run hither and thither, mind your business, be
silent, say nothing and hold one's peace”, “and to do”
or “exercise, practice, be busy with, carry on, undertake,
accomplish, perform, commit to and perpetrate” “your
own business” or “pertaining
to one's self, one's own and belonging to one's self. Paul's idea was
for the Thessalonians to pay attention to their own activities and
not be busy about some other distraction or concern.
The
verse goes on to say, “...and
to work with your own hands, as we commanded you;”
Paul went on to add, “and to work”
or “labor, trade, exercise, perform, commit, cause to exist,
produce, earn by working and acquire” “with your own
hands” which literally means
“by the help or agency of or by anyone” “as we”
which refers to Paul and his traveling companions “commanded
you” or “transmitted a
message to, declared, announced, commanded, ordered and charged the
Thessalonian church members”. Paul previously gave the
Thessalonians instructions concerning working with their “own
hands”, and this reminder was
to continue in this practice.
When
we think through Paul's words, we can understand the importance of
obeying this directive. By focusing upon one's own business, there is
less opportunity to be concerned or worried over another person's.
Rather than having time for wasteful chit chat and superfluous words
concerning others, we would be better off to keep silent and pay
attention to our own activities. Let us remember that Paul is
relaying this message in addition to his command that the
Thessalonians increase in their love toward others, and one of the
best ways to demonstrate the love of the Lord Jesus is to tend to our
own business rather than being involved in theirs. May the Holy
Spirit of God convict us when we intrude upon other's business, and
may He teach us to be quiet and regard our own.
Next
time Paul tells the Thessalonians to “to walk honestly
toward them that are without” in
their love toward others, so read ahead, and we shall join together
then.
Until
tomorrow…there is more…
Look
for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From
Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be
Married”, and the new devotional “One Year in the Sermon on the
Mount” in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com
; http://www.barnesandnobles.com
; download to e-books, and find it locally at
www.mrzlc.com/bookstore.
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