Work with Your Own Hands

First Thessalonians 4:11c-12 says, "and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you, that you may walk properly toward those who are outside, and that you may lack nothing." The NASB says, "so that you will behave properly toward outsiders and not be in any need." It seems that at least some of the Thessalonian believers refused to work and as a result were becoming a burden on the church. This attitude came from perhaps two different sources and needed to be corrected.

The Greeks believed it was below the dignity of free men to do manual labor. Any work done with the hands was degrading to them. That is why they made their slaves do all of it. However, most of the Christians in the early church came from the working classes. That is why the church dignified manual labor as an honorable endeavor. Yet it seems that many of the working class and slaves who had become Christians had taken the attitude that, since they had become free in Christ, they were no longer subject to their masters and quit their jobs. Therefore, Paul commanded them "to work with your own hands" (v. 11c).

Another reason many refused to work was their belief that Christ would return very soon. Instead of supporting themselves through honest labor, some of the Thessalonians were depending on the church to support them for a time while they "waited" for the Lord's return. And so Paul again exhorted them "to work with your own hands" (v. 11c). He even warned them in Second Thessalonians 3:10, "If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat." This does not negate the love of the brethren. Certainly when a brother is in need and we have the means to help, we must. However, no one is to refuse to work and by choice become a burden to the church. Hold a job, use your hands, work for your living. Then, when a need still arises, the church is there to meet the need. That is how it is to work, says Paul.

Note the purpose of these exhortations: "that you may walk properly toward those who are outside, and that you may lack nothing" (1 Thess. 4:12). First of all, it is evangelistic. You are to excel more and more in your love for one another; you are to lead a quiet life; you are to mind your own business; and you are to work with your own hands, so that you may "walk properly toward outsiders" (v. 12a). For Paul, the key to evangelism is the integrity we manifest to a sinful, confused world. When we display good attitudes and habits at work, and live in a loving and tranquil manner that respects the privacy of others and does not intrude or gossip, our life becomes a powerful testimony to people outside of the church, to unbelievers. Such a life makes the gospel credible.

Not only that, but when you live your life in this manner, you may be certain that you will "lack nothing" (v. 12b). As the NASB puts it, when your behavior is proper you will "not be in any need." God will provide for your needs, first through your own labor, then, when there is a need beyond your ability, through your loving brothers in Christ. But God will take care of you.

How about you? If Christ should come next Sunday, what will He find you doing? How about tomorrow, or Friday, or Saturday? You must live your life every day as Paul has directed, until Jesus comes. Amen.

Mind Your Own Business

First Thessalonians 4:11b tells us simply "to mind your own business." The admonition to mind your own business was a common one in secular Greek writings, but in the New Testament this is its only occurrence. Paul may be addressing a particular group within the church or he may be speaking to everyone in general. His message is clear: concentrate on your own lives, take care of your own jobs, and do not meddle in the affairs of others.

Paul later wrote the Thessalonians again about this concern: "For we hear that there are some who walk among you in a disorderly manner, not working at all, but are busybodies. Now those who are such we command and exhort through our Lord Jesus Christ that they work in quietness and eat their own bread" (2 Thess. 3:11-12). Those who do not mind their own business are "busybodies" (v. 11b). "Busybodies" (v. 11b) means to take more pains than enough about a thing, to waste one's labor, to be meddling with, or bustling about, other people's matters. They were constantly running around meddling in everyone's problems, often at the neglect of their own.

Paul's counsel? Don't do it. Don't meddle in other people's business. If they ask you for help or advice, fine. If not, stay out! Meddling in other people's business is unwise, undisciplined behavior that only causes rifts among believers. Such meddling must be left behind. Instead, Paul tells us to work diligently and faithfully at our own jobs, to stay out of other people's business and attend instead to our own affairs, and lead a quiet, tranquil life that serves fellow believers and, at the same time, glorifies the Lord before unbelievers.

When you love one another and excel in loving each other more each day, when you truly seek to lead a quiet life in Christ, the end result will be a life in which you mind your own business. To do otherwise would lead to anything but a quiet life. Follow Christ in showing your love to one another. Amen.