and
to make it your ambition to lead a quiet life and attend to your own business
and work with your hands, just as we commanded you,
1 Thessalonians 4:11 New American Standard Bible (NASB)
This comes in a passage where
Paul is encouraging the Thessalonians to work toward sanctification, that is
the process by which we are perfected and made like Christ. Part of that work
of sanctification includes these three things: to lead a quiet life, attending
our own business, and working with our hands. These things we should desire or
aspire to. First, to lead a quiet life, one which is not contentious or
arrogant. A quiet life refers both to our interactions with others and the
nature of our hearts. We need to live peaceably and without pomp or show, but
rather with calmness in our person and humility toward others. Second, we need
to mind our own business. We need to keep from gossip and meddling. So many
problems in the church and between friends and family came from people talking
about what they did not know (or should not share) or sticking their nose in
business that did not apply to them. Paul warns in multiple writings to avoid
gossip and meddling because it causes so many problems. Lastly, we need to work
with our hands. This refers to having a job as opposed to being idle and
useless. We need to have an occupation to support ourselves rather than relying
on others to support us. For women who are married and do not need to work,
they need to find something to occupy themselves so that they do not become
idle and lazy. Taking care of their children, serving the church or helping
others are great places to start. It is when we have nothing to do that we fall
to gossip, meddling and quarreling with others. If we are actively employed in
some productive job or activity we are more likely to mind our own business and
lead a quiet life. What is your occupation? How are you actively working toward
sanctification?
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