SCRIPTURE
“I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth… Dear friend, do not imitate what is evil but what is good. Anyone who does what is good is from God. Anyone who does what is evil has not seen God.” 3 John 4 and 11
SPOTLIGHT
Have you ever told someone to, “MIND YOUR OWN BUSINESS.” Maybe you have been told that. It means that a person has been meddling in matters that do not concern him. It is a harsh way of telling someone, “I want privacy.” Author, Eric Frank Russell, shortened the phrase to, “MYOB.”
There is a 2-fold twist when it comes to this term. God will never say to you, “Mind your own business. Don’t bother me.” He will never yell, “MYOB” because God is love. He always has time for you. He loves you, and greatly enjoys you. He longs to care for you. That is why He is your Heavenly Father.
The 2nd twist is this. God will never tell you to MYOB when it comes to people. He longs for you to, “Mind His business” which is loving people. God desires for you to get involved in things that interest Him. People interest Him. That is why He sent His Son to earth, and ultimately to Calvary. He longs for you to be involved in the lives of people. In no way does He want you to be a busybody, or a “nosy Nancy” but He longs for you to be His hand of compassion, and encouragement to people.
The Apostle John was minding God’s business when he wrote 3 John. He spoke to his friend Gaius about spiritual health, walking in truth, and expressing Godly kindness. Then he warned his friend about a being bad example, avoiding evil, and doing good. God wants us to do nothing less than encourage those closest to us to be concerned about the same.
So, what is God’s business? One way of describing it is to, “always invest in eternity.” God has a big picture in mind. God’s business is always forward-looking, ever expanding, and focused on people living to their fullest potential. Minding God’s business leads a person to be directed, and motivated by God’s truth, will, wisdom, and ways. Biblical principles identify God’s business. They need to drive a person’s life. Let me identify 5 of them.
#1. ALWAYS WALK IN TRUTH – The Apostle John, in this third epistle, underscored the principle that a Christian should always walk in truth. Reread the Scripture verses above. Truth walking is foremost in a Christian’s life. You are always looking at life through the eyes of Jesus Who is, “the way, truth and life.” Evil and good are not left up to you to define, but clearly defined by the Bible.
#2. ALWAYS LIVE AS A SERVANT LEADER – Living a servant leadership lifestyle means to seek after God’s own heart. Spend considerable time praying. Seek God’s will. Get on your knees. Wait for the Lord’s counsel. Make right decisions not just quick ones. Allow the Holy Spirit time to give insight, and revelation. Be hospitable, and avoid gossiping. [See 3 John 9,10].
#3. EVERYTHING YOU OWN IS GOD’S – You are a manager not the owner. Everything that is good comes from God. Every breath you breathe, every day you wake up, and every possession you have, is a result of God blessing you.
#4. FAMILY IS FIRST –Celebrate family. Treasure time with your relatives. View the church people as family. Love people because of their eternal worth. People are of exceptional value.
That is why God made so many of them.
#5. TAKE A STAND – Do the right thing not because of any personal gain, but because it is the right thing to do. Learn what is right by following Jesus Christ. Your desire for obedience to Jesus should lead you to take stands which are opposite to the popular culture, and maybe even undesirable by people close to you. Know what you believe. Know why you believe it. Focus on kingdom building. Jesus said, “But seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” [Matthew 6:33].
Mind God’s business. God is concerned about every person’s eternity. That is why He gave His Son to die on the cross for the sins of the world. A Christian will always invest in eternity. Invest in the eternal, not the temporal. What lasts forever is people who live forever, in heaven, with Jesus Christ, and you.
SOMETHING TO DO
What do you need to do differently in order to live a life that is, “always investing in eternity?”
Prayerfully look over the 5 characteristics mentioned above, and allow the Holy Spirit to direct you to make some changes.
SOUL TIME PRAYER
Heavenly Father, I come into your presence thanking You that you gave Your Son Jesus Christ to be my Savior. I am inviting the Holy Spirit to direct me as to how I might improve on living by the motto, “always investing in eternity.” AMEN.