1 Thessalonians 4:9-12 "But as touching brotherly love ye need not that I write unto you: for ye yourselves are taught of God to love one another. And indeed ye do it toward all the brethren which are in all Macedonia: but we beseech you, brethren, that ye increase more and more; And that ye study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you; That ye may walk honestly toward them that are without, and that ye may have lack of nothing."
In these verses in a formula that, if followed, will result in us living a sincere, impactful life. It will also result in us "lacking nothing". Here it is:
The first ingredient is brotherly love toward fellow believers, always increasing more and more. This means treating each member of the body with the same kind of love we would show to a family member.
The second ingredient is studying to be quiet. "Studying" means to strive earnestly, to make it our aim. Being quiet here has the idea of "to lead a quiet life, said of those who are not running hither and thither, but stay at home and mind their business." Therefore, we should make it our aim to not be busybodies, but instead should focus on making sure our own affairs are in order.
The third ingredient is to do our own business, to work with our own hands. Most people will realize from experience that each has enough to do on their own without worrying about what other people may or may not be doing.
If we follow this formula, those who are without will see what we say and what we do in line with each other. This will allow us to have a powerful testimony. Also, if we follow this formula, we will "lack nothing". Now this doesn't necessarily mean we will always have everything we want. Instead, I believe that it means God will always provide for us, and if we are not busying ourselves snooping in the lives of others, we will not have the temptation of discontentment.
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