No Drama, No Meddling, No Idleness

This is Paul's exhortation for Christ's followers: make it your ambition to lead a quiet life (no drama), mind your own business (no meddling), and work with your hands (no idleness). Seek earnestly to live a quiet, calm, restful, peaceable life, attend to your own affairs, and work hard.

• Don't be frantic or restless. Don't cause trouble or stir up conflict. Don't feel like you have to get involved in every argument/every debate. We must learn to speak less and listen more. We must tame our tongue and have self-control. Avoid drama. Being quiet is a lost art nowadays. "He says, 'Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.'" (Psalm 46:10) "This is what the Sovereign Lord, the Holy One of Israel, says: 'In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength.'" (Isaiah 30:15) When we live a quiet life (including attaining quietness of heart and mind), we can be still and focus on God, listen to Him and get to know Him better.
• Don't interfere with other people's affairs. Don't become busybodies. Don't gossip or spread rumor. 
• Don't be idle/lazy. Don't take advantage of other people. "For even when we were with you, we gave you this rule: 'The one who is unwilling to work shall not eat.'" (2 Thessalonians 3:10) "Anyone who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work,doing something useful with their own hands, that they may have something to share with those in need." (Ephesians 4:28) Paul was not just instructing the believers in Thessalonica to work hard; he also taught them by example. "Surely you remember, brothers and sisters, our toil and hardship; we worked night and day in order not to be a burden to anyone while we preached the gospel of God to you." (1 Thessalonians 2:9)

If we follow Paul's instructions, we will have an exemplary testimony to unbelievers. When we live this way with integrity without being a burden to anyone, non-Christians will notice and respect us.

"When believers display diligent work attitudes and habits and live in a loving and tranquil manner that respects others’ privacy and does not intrude or gossip, it constitutes a powerful testimony to unbelievers and makes the gospel credible… Believers who sacrificially love other people, exhibit tranquil lives, conscientiously focus on keeping their own lives in order, and faithfully carry out their daily responsibilities in the workplace (thus avoiding any welfare dependence)—all the while proclaiming the gospel in light of the return of Christ—are the most effective witnesses to their unsaved neighbors and loved ones." (John MacArthur)

Prayer: Father, please enable me to live a quiet life of trusting and resting in You, to take care of my family, and to diligently do the tasks You call me to do. Please have Your way in me and make me a fragrant aroma of Christ to the lost world. In Jesus' Name, I pray. Amen.