Meddling irritates me. People who meddle in the affairs of others. You might want to ask me, well, why are you talking about it right now? What has you so hot and bothered about meddling that you want to talk about it today? My answer? It’s none of your business! Quit meddling!
No, really, I’m just kidding. But meddling is a problem. It was a problem back in the days when Paul was instructing the churches. He wrote to the church in Thessalonica and said, “For we hear that there are some who walk among you in a disorderly manner, not working at all, but are busybodies. Now those who are such we command and exhort through our Lord Jesus Christ that they work in quietness and eat their own bread. But as for you, brethren, do not grow weary in doing good. And if anyone does not obey our word in this epistle, note that person and do not keep company with him, that he may be ashamed.” (That’s 2 Thessalonians 3:11-14).
In fact, Paul indicated that one of the most important things we can do is to “to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business…” (1 Thessalonians 4:11).
When people meddle they cause problems. Meddling can cause friends to become enemies. It can cause rifts in families and in churches. It can cause people to get fired, secrets to get told, and little fires to become forest fires.
I’m not saying that you shouldn’t be concerned about other people. But too often meddling is couched in those terms. A mother comes between her son and his wife because she is “concerned.” A friend tells another friend about the problems of a third friend because he is “concerned.” A co-worker does the same, causing problems in an office or workplace. The solution is simple, mind your own business.
Of course, there is a flip side to this. Some people want to tell others every detail of their own business! These talk shows on television are an example. Telling millions of people about your dysfunctional family life or personal troubles must qualify as some kind of unstable activity. I can’t imagine why anyone would do such a thing, and yet there seems to be an unending line of people waiting to go on Oprah, or Dr. Phil, or even Jerry Springer to let the world know about their troubles.
You see it on the news as well, when the reporters swoop in like vultures after a tragedy of some sort. The victims or the family of the victims all tell their stories, sometimes with lurid detail. If it were me, I would tell them to “mind their own business, and go away.” But, that’s just me.
Now don’t misunderstand. I am certainly interested in helping my closest friends, and knowing of their troubles (if they want to confide in me), that I might offer help in time of need. Further, there have been times in my life where I needed to confide in another for help and comfort.
But for the most part, please take Paul’s advice. Lead a quiet life, and mind your own business! Or at the very least, do not meddle in mine!