Quit Minding Your Own Business

Have you ever had someone tell you to mind your own business? I think all of us have had that experience. Usually it happens because we are getting involved in things that don’t concern us. We ought not be the kind of people who are always trying to find out what is going on with someone else.

But I want you to understand tonight that one of the greatest problems in our churches today is Christians who mind their own business. You say Pastor, if I am not to mind my own business than whose business am I to mind?

Let’s look at our text again. Jesus was twelve years old. He was strong in spirit, filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was upon Him. Joseph and Mary decided Jesus was old enough to travel with them to Jerusalem for the feast of the Passover.

But then it came time to leave. Joseph and Mary headed home not realizing that Jesus was yet in Jerusalem. They were probably travelling with a caravan for the Bible says they supposed Him to have been in the company. When one full day had passed they began to ask people if they had seen Jesus. Vs. 45 tells us that when they found Him not they returned to Jerusalem seeking Him.

Now imagine how they must have felt. There would be frantic searches, sleepless nights. All of the same emotions and difficulties that parents of today would feel. For three days they did not know where Jesus was.

After three days they found Jesus. He was sitting in the temple among the doctors. And they were astonished at His understanding and answers. Notice what His parents said when they found him.

Verse 48 " Son why has thou thus dealt with us ? behold, thy father and I have sought thee sorrowing."

Notice Jesus’ response. Verse 49 " How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father’s business?"

Jesus said to His parents, " I must be about my Father’s business." I want you to know tonight that that statement sums up the secret to a successful Christian life. I must be about my Father’s business.

You have heard it said that there is no business like show business. Friends, I want you to know tonight that there is no business like God’s business.

Yet far too many Christians are more concerned about their own business then they are God’s. They make time for all the things they want to do and squeeze God in here and there. Why? They are minding their own business not God’s. They won’t give sacrifically to the Lord’s work but they always seem to have money for that big sale. Their minding their own business not God’s.

It is the will of God for every believer that we quit minding our own business and start minding God’s. Can you say tonight, I must be about my Father’s business? By the way that is a lifestyle, not just a cute little phrase. If you will quit minding your own business and start minding God’s some wonderful things will happen.

I. Your Priorities Will Change -

When Christ was missing He was twelve years old.

Where would one suppose to find a twelve year old? Playing with friends, wrestling with other boys, having fun, and all the other things twelve year olds like to do. But Jesus was in the Temple sitting among the doctors speaking with them. Why? Even as a 12 year old he understood the need to be about His Father’s business and it changed His priorities.

Paul said in Philippians 3:7 " But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ." in other words Paul said, life is not about me, it’s about God. You see Paul understood the need to be about his Father’s business rather than his own and he was able to count all things as loss.

I am saying when you begin to be about your Father’s business your priorities will change. You won’t find excuses not to serve God. Away with our excuses for not doing the things we know God wants us to do. Your problem is your minding your own business above God’s. Your desire is your priority, not God’s desire. For when God’s business becomes your business, your priorities will be, souls, church, others, etc.

II. Your Schedule Will Change -

Joseph and Mary had a definite schedule for leaving Jerusalem and coming back home. Jesus could not keep their schedule for He was about His Father’s business.

You see when you mind your own business, your too busy to be interrupted, your to busy to worry about where someone may need your help, or some way God wants you to serve in the church. When you are minding your own business your refrain will become " I am too busy, I am too busy." I challenge you to find one example in Scripture where Christ told someone He was too busy. Do you have more or less to accomplish in you earthly life than He did?