Week Thirty-Two - Stop Meddling

My sister and I were too curious for our own good. Hence, the words from our grandparents were, "Stop meddling." They were instructing us to stop poking into things around the house, but as we grew, the same instruction came if we drifted into gossip or surmising about others. "It's not your business, so stop poking your nose in. Stop meddling," was their advice. Have I always managed to follow it? Nope. And it has come back to bite me.

My Bible reading this past week was in 2 Kings. In chapter 14, Jehoash, king of Israel, and Amaziah, king of Judah, meet face-to-face, not for reconciliation, but for power. 

Amaziah, fresh from a great victory against Edom, thought he'd now take on Israel. Jehoash warned him this was not a good challenge, but Amaziah would not hear  (vs 11). The battle ends in a complete thrashing of Judah, resulting in the loss of all the gold, silver, and vessels in the Lord's house, along with all Amaziah's treasure, and a group of hostages taken by Israel.

Some things are better left alone, right? Picking fights, antagonizing others, or flexing our muscles doesn't mean we will win. There is always a cost to such actions. Amaziah lost it all. And when we create drama, stir situations, or show off, we are in danger of losing, too.

Meddling is when you insert your opinion without being asked. Meddling is when you dig for information that should be left private. Meddling occurs when you try to manage others without having the authority to do so. Meddling genders strife and sets people against you. It isn’t the way to win friends and influence people.

Ecclesiasticus 11:10 reads, My son, meddle not with many matters: for if thou meddle much, thou shalt not be innocent; and if thou follow after, thou shalt not obtain, neither shalt thou escape by fleeing." (Please note, this quote is from Ecclesiasticus, not Ecclesiastes)  This is still good advice. Meddle not! 

God gives the same instruction to the children of Israel, "Meddle not with them," in Deuteronomy 2:5. And in Proverbs 24:21 we read, “My son, fear thou the LORD and the king: and meddle not with them that are given to change:”

Meddling puts you in danger of loss. You may lose friends, reputation, or even wealth. God says we are to mind our own business. That will keep us busy enough. 

Let's end with the instruction from 1 Thessalonians 4:11: "And that ye study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands."

So, stop meddling!