Mensa Otabil - Walk Properly
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God wants us to walk in wisdom. He also wants us to walk properly. First Thessalonians, chapter 4, verses 11 and 12: «That you also aspire to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we have commanded you, that you may walk properly toward those who are outside, and that you may lack nothing.»
The early Christians were just like us; they were not perfect people, but just human beings saved by grace through Christ, trying to live the Christian life. They had the same kinds of human attitudes we have today. When you read the letters the Apostle Paul wrote to the churches, you see these human limitations being addressed. You notice that he addresses situations very similar to what we find within the church today.
In this part of his letter to the Thessalonians, he addresses the lifestyle of some people in the church. Some of the believers at that time—and there are still believers today—believed that Jesus was coming soon, and they were constantly living in expectation of Christ’s appearing, what we call the rapture. As a result, they did not do anything; they just hoped that Jesus would come, and the world would come to an end. They didn’t work; they just lived in expectation of the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Others spent their time visiting other believers, eating, having conversations, spreading rumors, and gossiping. Paul calls them busybodies. Sometimes, they even took this bad habit to unbelievers and misbehaved. So, when Paul is addressing these issues, we can sometimes identify them in the church today. He tells them to walk properly; that means what they were doing was improper. Living in expectation of a spiritual appearance or expecting just a miracle but not working is walking improperly.
He encouraged them to live quiet lives, not to be busybodies, not to interfere in everybody’s business, and not to spread stories among each other. Then he tells them that everyone must work with their own hands. Paul did not see work as an act of unbelief; rather, it was an act of faith. He says, «We have commanded you to work with your hands.» As we walk in the Spirit, God wants us to also walk properly. That means we do the right things; we get to work, invest in our work, and do not immerse ourselves in others' lives by spreading rumors.
Instead, we commit ourselves to living a decent life. Today, that counsel is still available to us: we must be gainfully employed. He says the reason he gave them that advice is so that they will lack nothing. In other words, one of the ways God alleviates lack from the church is when we work with our hands, when we mind our own business, and when we focus on doing something profitable.
I believe you are doing something gainful, but if you are not, I encourage you to get involved in doing something worthwhile. Don’t be so spiritually minded that you have no earthly use. Christ is coming, but He hasn’t come yet. While He hasn’t come, He says to occupy till I come. Don’t just wait for His coming; work toward His coming. And when He comes, He will redeem us from whatever state we are in. Jesus says when He comes, «Two people will be in the field working; one will be taken, and the other will not be taken.» In other words, He doesn’t come for people just sitting around doing nothing; He comes for people who are working.
So, walk properly. Let’s pray: Say with me, «Heavenly Father, thank you for the wisdom and opportunity you have given me to create wealth. Bless the work of my hands and prosper me. In Jesus' name, amen.» Well, my friends, I’m Pastor Mensa Otabil. Shalom—peace and life to you.