Busybodies

What was your first job? Mine was at a coffee shop. I sold coffee beans and cups of coffee and cappuccinos. I loved that job. My boss was a terrific lady and I enjoyed helping people find just the right coffee for their tastes. There was always something to do, like redesigning store displays, packaging and shipping orders, or tidying up the store when we weren’t busy. At this first job I also had my first encounter with a lazy co-worker. This co-worker was certainly busy. She was busy talking and it seemed she knew everything about everyone. The Bible calls these people busybodies, and cautions us about spending too much time with them.

Paul had already written to the church at Thessalonica about a problem with idleness, however, the problem must have gotten worse. In 1 Thessalonians the church is asked to admonish the idlers, and here in 2 Thessalonians, the church is called to disassociate from them. This was not meant as a long-term solution, rather it was meant to cause the idler to repent and change his ways. Note the Greek word for busybody is periergos, and means meddler. When we don’t have work to keep our minds and hands busy, we begin to meddle in other people’s business. God wants us to stay focused on the work He has asked us to do—with our hands and within our hearts.

PRAYER: Thank You, God, for the work You’ve given me to do. Help me to be a hard worker and not a busybody. For I do not want to be known as a busybody, but as a busy-body who works hard for the kingdom of God.

“For even when we were with you, we used to give you this command: “If anyone is not willing to work, neither should he eat. For we hear that some among you are living an undisciplined life,  not doing their own work but meddling in the work of others,”  2 Thessalonians 3:6-15 NET.

Cheri Cowell was chosen as one of six Christian journalists for an Israeli Ministry of Tourism sponsored tour of the Holy Land in November 2009. To learn more about Cheri’s ministry, visit her website www.CheriCowell.com