The Simple Life

Jan. 19

1 Thess. 4:1-12

The Simple Life

“…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 walk properly before outsiders and be dependent on no one.”

The life of God’s people ought to be dependent on no one other than the Lord. It is a humbling picture that is painted here in 1 Thessalonians. how many of us “aspire to live quietly” or “mind our own affairs”? Are we willing to “work with our hands” - being contributed to society… givers not takers? This is the way that we can actually live properly among “outsiders”; when we are dependent on no man and resting in the Lord.

The picture of God’s people is that we are “loving” never returning evil for evil, but rather seeking to “do good” for everyone. (cf. 5:15) The goal would be that our love for one another - “brotherly love” - would increase “more and more”. (4:9,10) This is the message that God teaches his children. We need the Lord to be the one to teach it to us, otherwise our love will be rooted in our own human strength and run out sooner or later! (v.4:9) We don’t know how to love this way unless God shows us. To love one another not only means kind acts, but also abstaining from evil acts towards one another. (Take for instance the sexual immorality mentioned here, and the way that it says let “no one transgress and wrong his brother in this matter.” Sexual sin is particularly destructive and it always effects many others connected to the person committing the sin.) We can love the wa God calls us to love because we know God has our back; “the Lord is an avenger in all these things, as we told you beforehand and solemnly warned you.” (v.4:6) God looks out for those who have been victimized and he “avenges” those sins acted out against them. We can freely love and forgive, knowing God is our avenger.

Settling into this life means not having to scramble for others to notice you. You don’t have to via for others attention or praise… you can “live quietly”. It is funny to see it written in the scriptures, but there is a certain sense of “mind your own business” in this sort of life. This doesn’t mean to ignore opportunities to love or serve, but it does mean to stop comparing yourself to others and focus on what God has entrusted to you. (This is particularly difficult when you think of social media in general… “live quietly” and “mind your own business” could not be more OPPOSITE of the majority of social media goals.) Don’t get involved in things God is not asking you to get involved in. Don’t insert yourself into scenarios you are not needed in. Let God direct your energies in this world… control you body including your tongue. (cf. 4:4)

What should we be doing? We should be “working with our hands”. We are created in God’s image and God is a “creator” … a “maker”. We reflect God’s image when we are productive… when we make things… when we are creative. In some part, our “work” should be in this world… meaning that it should be “with our hands”. It is good to not only do “thought work”… sitting around thinking and talking…but to also “work with your hands” so that you produce something. Why? Because then people know you are not loving them to get something from them. It is a way that we show we are trusting the Lord. It is a way that we have to take inventory of what God has entrusted us and then do something with it. When we are resting in the Lord, loving others, and being productive… minding our own business and living “quietly”… we are free from needing others in an unhealthy way. We are free to care without manipulation. We are free from anxiety regarding others “liking us” or our lives matching theirs. We are free from worry because we have experienced God’s provision over and over again. We become good stewards of what we have. This is how we “walk properly among outsiders”.

Today, may we as the people of God “aspire to live quietly, and to mind our own affairs, and work with our hands, so that we may walk properly before outsiders and be dependent on no one.” Take some time today to unplug from social media. Take some time to make something today… to cook, or write, or build, or fix… take inventory of all that God has given you and give thanks. Bring your fears of provision to the Lord today in prayer, and share them in vulnerability with other brothers and sisters in Christ so that you may be encouraged and lifted up. Love you guys. - JDP