Why would anyone want to know you?

 

1 Thessalonians 4:9-12

Why would anyone want what you have?  Now I am not referring to your stuff, but the real you, not the person who tries to say the right things to impress someone, with the hope of deriving some benefit from the exchange.  What is it about you that would make someone want to know you?  You may have read the classic; “How to win friends and influence People,” it has some good points, it will help you in your people skills, but it will not come close to the answer that is found in 1 Thessalonians 4:9-12.

Verse 10b-12, “But we urge you, brothers, to do this more and more, and to aspire to live quietly, and to mind your own affairs, and to work with your hands, as we instructed you, so that you may live properly before outsiders and be dependent on no one.”  What are they being urged to do more and more, something they were already doing: something they were doing very well, showing brotherly love? 

Now, I must ask some questions; how does living quietly add to a person showing brotherly love?  Is it because a quiet life allows us to hear the quiet voice of our God, is it because in being quiet and still we become listeners, and we hear the pain of those who we come into contact with each day?  The prophet Isaiah has such a way with words, “And the effect of righteousness, will be peace, and the result of righteousness, quietness and trust forever.” (Isaiah 32:17)

Is Paul teaching us to mind our own affairs, is that an instruction to focus only on self and to ignore the ones that we come into contact with each day?  If that is what you take from this you miss the mark, for he is referring to excelling at your occupation and it matters not what that is.  It maybe flipping burgers to running a large business, but stay focused, keep on growing in those skills you have been given, and be open to the people God puts into your circle of influence. 

It is commonplace in the church today to give money to meet a need, and that is a good act, but when Paul instructs us to work with our own hands, is he not telling you and I to be involved not just with our resources, but also our lives.  Brotherly love shows up best when one life touches another life.

From the Back Porch,

Bob Rice