2021-07-31
2 Thessalonians 3:11 NLT
Scan any tabloid or watch any TV talk show and you’ll discover that “meddling” has become a multibillion-dollar business. But it’s not the kind of business a follower of Christ should be in. And while mothers-in-law sometimes have a reputation for being meddlers, they haven’t cornered the market. Men, relatives, coworkers, and well-meaning friends also tend to interfere.
Unlike gossips, meddlers like to elicit personal information directly from their subjects. “How can you afford such an expensive car?” “What size is that outfit you’re wearing?” “How much did you pay for your house?” “How long can you afford to be off work?” Often these kinds of questions serve no purpose other than to satisfy a shallow mind. Yes, some folks genuinely want to help, or even pray about your situation – but not meddlers. So learn to keep your inquisitiveness within the bounds of what’s appropriate.
Solomon said, “He who passes by and meddles in a quarrel not his own is like one who takes a dog by the ears” (Proverbs 26:17 NKJV). A dog’s ears are among the most sensitive areas of its body. And if you pull them, the dog may bite you. Likewise, when you stick your nose where it doesn’t belong, it may get bitten off.
God classifies meddling as a sin – right up there with murder and stealing: “If you suffer, however, it must not be for murder, stealing, making trouble, or prying into other people’s affairs” (1 Peter 4:15 NLT). A wise person quipped that the reason people who mind their own business are so successful is because they have so little competition. So don’t meddle!
Soul food: Deut 14-17; Luke 10:25-37; Ps 78:32-39; Prov 16:31
2 Thessalonians 3:11 NLT
We can come across people who seem to like to interfere and meddle in other people’s lives. Whereas people who gossip tend to gain a lot of their information indirectly, and talk about others behind their backs, people who meddle like to draw out personal information directly from their subjects. They might try to get information about our relationships, our money, what we eat, what we’re planning to do about something, and so on. Some people ask out of a genuine desire to help or to pray for us, but those who just want to interfere might ask to satisfy their curiosity, to make themselves feel better about their own lives, or to tell us what they think we should be doing.
We’re called to help, encourage and pray for others, but we need to be careful that we’re not crossing the line into meddling. We don’t need to know every little detail about a person’s situation to be able to do those things for them. Even if God prompts us to give a word of advice or share a Bible verse with them, we don’t have to know why.
Proverbs 26:17 says: ‘Interfering in someone else’s quarrel as you pass by is like grabbing a dog by the ears’ (NCV). A dog’s ears are very sensitive, and if someone pulls them, they’re likely to get bitten. God classes meddling as a sin: ‘If you are insulted because you bear the name of Christ, you will be blessed, for the glorious Spirit of God rests upon you. If you suffer, however, it must not be for murder, stealing, making trouble, or prying into other people’s affairs’ (1 Peter 4:16-15 NLT). So let’s make sure we’re keeping our curiosity within the bounds of what’s appropriate.
Deut 14-17; Luke 10:25-37; Ps 78:32-39; Prov 16:31
2021-07-30
Genesis 24:19 NKJV
The story of Rebekah teaches us a very important truth about life: When opportunity knocks, make sure you’re ready to answer the door. Rebekah didn’t think about the extra effort and time required to water ten thirsty camels. She didn’t say, “I don’t do that kind of work, that’s not in my job description.” She lived by the principle: “Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might” (Ecclesiastes 9:10 NKJV). She didn’t suddenly develop a work ethic when Eliezer showed up, she practiced one every day. And there came a day when it paid off. Faithfulness in small things brings great rewards.
God is your boss; He’s watching your attitude and actions in small things. Big moments don’t come to people who wait for them; they come from faithfulness in small moments, in daily routines and non-glamorous service. And you’ll notice something else. Rebekah didn’t quote the Torah or ask Eliezer what his religion was. Instead of trying to be “super spiritual” she decided to be nice. As a result she got his attention, earned his respect and ended up in the family of Abraham. It doesn’t get any better! When Rebekah took Eliezer home to meet her family they wanted her to wait for ten days before going to meet Isaac. That was customary. But Rebekah said, “I will go” (Genesis 24:58 NKJV).
When God opens the door don’t delay. And don’t say, “Others are more qualified than me.” If God has called you then you’re the right person, so step over your fears and move in the direction He is leading you.
Soul food: Deut 11-13; Luke 10:13-24; Ps 78:17-31; Prov 16:26-30
Genesis 24:19 NKJV
The story of Rebekah teaches us a very important truth about life: when opportunity comes, make sure you’re ready to embrace it. Rebekah didn’t think about the extra effort and time required to give water to ten thirsty camels. She didn’t say, ‘It’s going to take ages, it’s tiring, and it’s not my job, so I’m not getting involved.’ She lived by the principle: ‘Whatever work you do, do your best (Ecclesiastes 9:10 NCV). She didn’t suddenly develop a work ethic or become servant-hearted when Eliezer showed up, she lived that way every day. Rebekah didn’t quote the Torah or ask Eliezer what his religion was. Instead of trying to be ‘super spiritual’, she chose to simply be kind. And her faithfulness in the small things was rewarded with something beyond what she could expect or imagine.
God watches our attitude and actions in small things; He notices faithfulness in small moments, in daily routines, and in unglamorous service. It’s not just about who we are when other people are around, it’s about who we are when nobody else knows or notices what we’re doing and when there’s no chance of getting recognition or reward from them. When Rebekah took Eliezer home to meet her family, they wanted her to wait for ten days before going to meet Isaac. That was customary. But Rebekah said, ‘I will go’ (Genesis 24:58 NKJV).
When God opens the door of opportunity for us and invites us to step through it, we shouldn’t delay, or think, ‘Other people are more qualified for this than me.’ If God calls us, we can be certain it’s right for us, so we can confidently move in the direction He’s leading.
Deut 11-13; Luke 10:13-24; Ps 78:17-31; Prov 16:26-30
2 Tessalonisense 3:11 NLV
As jy na enige skinderkoerant of geselsprogram op televisie kyk, sal jy ontdek dat ‘inmenging’ ‘n multi-biljoen dollar industrie geword het. Dis egter nie die tipe besigheid waarmee ‘n volgeling van Christus hom of haar moet bemoei nie. Skoonma’s het soms die reputasie dat hulle inmengerig is, maar hulle besit nie die grootste aandeel in die mark nie. Mans, familielede, kollegas en vriende wat goed bedoel, is ook geneig om in te meng.
Anders as skinderbekke, hou inmengers daarvan om persoonlike inligting direk by hulle teikens te kry. ‘Hoe kan jy so ‘n duur kar bekostig?’ Watse grootte hemp dra jy?’ ‘Hoeveel het jy vir jou huis betaal?’ ‘Hoe lank is jy by die werk afgeboek?’ Dikwels dien hierdie tipe vrae geen ander doel as om ‘n nuuskierige agie te bevredig nie.
Ja, sommige mense wil regtig van hulp wees, of selfs oor jou situasie bid – maar nie inmengers nie. Leer dus om jou nuuskierigheid binne toepaslike perke te hou. Salomo het gesê: ‘Om in te meng in ander mense se rusie is soos om ‘n kwaai hond sommer aan sy ore te gryp’ (Spreuke 26:17 NLV). ‘n Hond se ore is een van die sensitiefste dele van sy liggaam. As jy ‘n hond se ore trek, sal hy jou dalk byt. Net so kan jou neus dalk afgebyt word as jy hom in sake steek wat jou nie aangaan nie.
God klassifiseer inmenging as ‘n sonde – dieselfde as moord en diefstal. ‘Want niemand van julle moet swaarkry omdat hy ‘n moordenaar is, of omdat hy ‘n dief is, of omdat hy iemand is wat slegte dinge doen, of omdat hy nuuskierig is en praat oor ander mense nie’ (1 Petrus 4:15 ABA). Moet dus nie inmeng nie!
Sielskos: Deut 14-17; Luk 10:25-37; Ps 78:32-39; Spr 16:31
