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Her again.

Dread filled her as she opened the door to her unwanted guest.

I just finished a book about a young lady who becomes a partner in a boarding house back in the 1800s. As she opened the door, she realized who the guest was on the other side, and it was the last person she wanted to see.

Mrs. Harding.

The woman was a busybody.

She was constantly stirring up trouble. Most of her statements usually began with, “I heard…” and what followed were half-truths or even just lies. She was never satisfied, always complaining, yet she didn’t lift a finger to help. And any time she was making “polite conversation,” she was truly digging for more dirt. What type of juicy gossip could she concoct out of what she learned?

She always made herself out to be proper—a high-society, genteel woman of great standing and class. Yet no one welcomed her company or desired to be in her presence.

She’s just some character in a book, yet we probably know a Mrs. Harding, don’t we?

We’ve been studying through 1 Thessalonians, and Paul has been sharing with the Thessalonian believers how to live a life that is pleasing to the Lord. He speaks directly to issues affecting their culture, such as sexual immorality and a lack of holiness. But there was another issue plaguing the people there that he warned against.

1 Thessalonians 4:11–12

“that you also aspire to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you, that you may walk properly toward those who are outside, and that you may lack nothing.”

• 1. Lead a quiet life— Don’t stir up trouble.
• 2. Mind your own business— Don’t gossip.
• 3. Work with your own hands — Don’t rely on others for a handout.

All of it was connected.

Because they believed Christ was returning soon, some had taken the notion that they should just give up working. Idleness was a problem, and some began to rely on others to support them. Paul warned against this kind of laziness and idleness.

And when someone isn’t working, what else do they have to do but stick their nose into the business of others?

Paul urged them to work, just as he had done. His statement to them in his second letter was:

“If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat.”
2 Thessalonians 3:10

Why?

Why was all of this important?

Because of their testimony to outsiders—or nonbelievers.

Why would anyone believe what we have to say about Jesus if we are known as a gossip? Why would they trust the message we share if we’ve been known to spread rumors or lies? Could they respect us knowing we refuse to work to support our families and contribute to the mission of Christ?

Could we still be an effective witness for the Lord if we are a Mrs. Harding?

I dare say, they wouldn’t even want to open the door.

If we want to be effective in Christ’s mission and further the gospel, let’s take Paul’s advice:

Lead a quiet life.

Mind your own business.

Work faithfully.

And live in such a way that when the world looks at our lives, they have a reason to listen when we tell them about Jesus.

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