MORE LOVE, LESS DRAMA
1 Thessalonians 4:9-12 NKJV
9 But concerning brotherly love you have no need that I should write to you, for you yourselves are taught by God to love one another; 10 and indeed you do so toward all the brethren who are in all Macedonia. But we urge you, brethren, that you increase more and more; 11 that you also aspire to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you, 12 that you may walk properly toward those who are outside, and that you may lack nothing.
Paul had some things on his heart as he closes his letter to the Thessalonians. He starts chapter four with finally, but his 'finally' takes up two whole chapters. It's a preacher thing. When we say in conclusion, don't get your hopes up.
Paul appeals to the church to keep themselves pure from sexual immorality and reminds them that we are called to holiness, not uncleanness. Then, he jumps to his next topic of brotherly love and orderly living. Quite a jump, but when things are on your heart, smooth transitions are not the primary concern.
Paul encourages the church to continue walking in love toward one another. He acknowledges that they are already doing this and that God has instructed them on loving one another. Typically, Paul is having to instruct the churches on their need to walk in love, but evidently, this group was on the right track. But Paul doesn't take his foot off the gas. He directs the church to not only continue walking in love, but to increase more and more. The message is that they were doing good, but don't get complacent; pick it up.
Then Paul encourages them to live a quiet life. The Amplified Bible says, "Make it your ambition to live quietly and peacefully." And in keeping with the encouragement to increase in love, this quiet, peaceful life does not mean a life of isolation. Rather, Paul is encouraging a lack of drama. Quiet and peaceful is the opposite of clamoring and strife. Quiet and peaceful is good.
And mind your own business, which would seem to go hand in hand with living quietly and peacefully. A great way to live peacefully is to take care of your own stuff. The Proverbs says that someone who gets involved with strife that does not belong to him is like grabbing a dog by the ears. You will get bit. When we take care of our own business instead of being involved in commenting and criticizing others, I am looking at you, social media, life is better.
And work with your own hands. Paul is adamant about this, recounting that he had commanded them to do this. Evidently, there were those who were sponging off the goodness of other believers, and that was no bueno. The scriptures take a dim view of those who can work but don't. It's not good for the church, and it does not paint a good picture to those outside the church.
And those outside the church, the unbelievers, were of concern to Paul. He wanted the testimony of the believers in Thessalonica to be a strong witness. He wanted them to walk properly. The Amplified Bible lives up to its name in amplifying the scriptures, and its rendering of verse 12 is helpful. "So that you will behave properly toward outsiders [exhibiting good character, personal integrity, and moral courage worthy of the respect of the outside world], and be dependent on no one and in need of nothing [be self-supporting]." That is definitely amplified, but it helps us understand walking properly.
And Paul was convinced that if the believers would live this way, they would be lacking nothing. That's a good place to be.
APPLICATION
Paul's admonishment to the church at Thessalonica is good for us today. We can all use more love for one another. Less drama with the people in our lives. A good witness to those outside the family of God. And a productive life with no lack. These are great goals to shoot for!
PRAYER
Lord, teach me how to increase in my love, live quietly, stay out of other people's business, and prosper in the work You have given me to do. May my life be a strong witness to those who do not know You.