Minding My Own Business

Hello there and welcome.

Our Daily Bread would like to encourage you today with a reading titled Minding My Own Business was written by David Roper. Years ago, my son Josh and I were making our way up a mountain trail when we spied a cloud of dust rising in the air. We crept forward and discovered a badger busy making a den in a dirt bank. He had his head and shoulders in the hole and was vigorously digging with his front paws and kicking the dirt out of the hole with his hind feet.

He was so invested in his work he didn't hear us. I couldn't resist and prodded him from behind with a long stick lying nearby. I didn't hurt the badger, but he leaped straight up in the air and turned toward us.

Josh and I set new world records for the 100-yard dash. I learned something from my brashness. Sometimes it's best not to poke around in other people's business. That's especially true in relationships with fellow believers in Jesus. The Apostle Paul encouraged the Thessalonians to make it your ambition to lead a quiet life.

You should mind your own business and work with your hands. We're to pray for others and seek by God's grace to share the scriptures and occasionally we may be called to offer a gentle word of correction. But learning to live a quiet life and not meddling into others lives is important. It becomes an example to those who are now outside God's family. Our calling is to love each other.

Now about your love for one another we do not need to write to you for you yourselves have been taught by God to love each other and in fact you do love all of God's family throughout Macedonia. Yet we urge you brothers and sisters to do so more and more and to make it your ambition to lead a quiet life. You should mind your own business and work with your hands. Just as we told you so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody.

Now let's pray. Dear Heavenly Father we are often tempted to meddle in other people's business and criticize them for what they are doing or how they are doing it. It reminds me a bit of Matthew chapter 7 verse 13. When Jesus said why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the log in your own eye.

While the time may come that we need to confront an issue with a brother or sister. We pray that our primary focus would be to live lives that are faithful to you and shine your light in the world around us. That you may be seen and celebrated by all. And we thank you Lord and it's in Jesus' name that we pray. Jesus' precious name we pray. Amen.