Are You a Busybody?

“For ye remember, brethren, our labour and travail: for labouring night and day, because we would not be chargeable unto any of you, we preached unto you the gospel of God.” – 1 Thessalonians 2:9

In a world full of noise, distractions, and endless opinions, it’s easy to slip into the role of a busybody – someone meddling in the lives of others while neglecting their own God-given responsibilities. The Apostle Paul presents a very different example in 1 Thessalonians 2. Though he had every right as an apostle to receive financial support, he chose instead to work “night and day” amongst the Thessalonians so that his motives couldn’t be questioned and the gospel wouldn’t be hindered (1Co 9:12, 18, 2Co 11:9).

It wasn’t just about setting a personal example, though; it was about establishing a pattern for the church. The Christian walk is marked by order, diligence, and purpose. Whether through a job, raising children, managing a home, or caring for others, believers are called to work with their hands, provide for their families, and contribute to the needs of the body of Christ ultimately for the salvation and edification of others (2Th 3:6-12, 1Ti 5:8, Eph 4:28). When we neglect this responsibility, we open the door to idleness, pride, and ultimately, becoming busybodies.

“[10] For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat. [11] For we hear that there are some which walk among you disorderly, working not at all, but are busybodies. [12] Now them that are such we command and exhort by our Lord Jesus Christ, that with quietness they work, and eat their own bread.” – 2 Thessalonians 3:10-12

A busybody doesn’t just waste time; they become spiritually unproductive, meddling in affairs that don’t concern them, creating strife where there was none before. When you neglect the responsibilities in your life, or avoid responsibility altogether, it produces an environment for the flesh to thrive. In Ezekiel 16:49-50, we see a very interesting passage outlining Sodom’s downfalls which led to its destruction: idleness being one of them.

“[49] Behold, this was the iniquity of thy sister Sodom, pride, fulness of bread, and abundance of idleness was in her and in her daughters, neither did she strengthen the hand of the poor and needy. [50] And they were haughty, and committed abomination before me: therefore I took them away as I saw good.” – Ezekiel 16:49-50

Again, we see the danger of idle time in the context of churches providing for younger widows. While good for families to support those in need in their families (1Ti 5:4-8, 16), when people don’t work (whatever that responsibility looks like), it doesn’t actually help them at all.

“[13] And withal they learn to be idle, wandering about from house to house; and not only idle, but tattlers also and busybodies, speaking things which they ought not.” – 1Ti 5:13

Without a grace-filled focus on life, the flesh fills the void with pride, gossip, criticism, or a sense of self-importance (haughtiness). When our lives are full of grace-driven labor, in our jobs, families, and downtime, we don’t have time for meddling. Our minds are fixed on the work God has given us.

While it may seem counterintuitive, focusing on yourself often leads to greater concern about others, not in love, but in comparison, criticism, and frustration. You begin noticing how others infringe upon your fleshly desires, which breeds discontent. But when you focus on serving others in Christ’s love, you become less preoccupied with yourself, and other people’s problems feel less intrusive or overwhelming.

When we walk in love, humility, and purpose in Christ, we make room for others to grow, and our example strengthens the testimony of the gospel while magnifying the power of God's grace (Php 2:3–8; Titus 2:1–10; 1Co 9:27). We don’t need to “fix” others or constantly analyze their intentions, as doing so often leads to bitterness, anger, and strife. Instead, we must point them to the love of Christ and remind them of their identity in Him: this helps address the root of all of our flesh (2Co 5:14)!

So, ask yourself: Are you building up or butting in? Are you laboring in the gospel or loitering in other people’s lives? The grace of God teaches us to live soberly, righteously, and godly in this present world, not to wander aimlessly through it (Titus 2:11-14).

Let us walk worthy of our calling, not as busybodies, but as faithful stewards of the truth, laboring in love for the glory of Christ.