Mind Your Own Beeswax

Privacy is hard to find these days. With phones recording everything, with cameras in every store, on every corner, and with everybody knowing every bodies business … it’s tough.

And while we are to be looking out for others, helping people o need, seeking biblical justice, where do we draw the line as to avoid being a busybody? A busybody is an over active person, one meddling in others’ business. It is one who sits on their phone or computer and not only wants the latest gossip, they are quick to spread it.

It is someone who doesn’t mind their own beeswax.

That’s an interesting phrase and no one is sure where it actually started. Some say it goes back centuries to when people would use wax to hide pox marks from the plague. And when they got hot, or too close to a fire, the wax would melt. Then when people commented on their face, they would be told mind their own beeswax. (Doubtful, but interesting)

Others say it goes back to colonial America when ladies would spend evenings making candles. As others commented on the work of others, they would be told to mind their own beeswax. (Doubtful too)

Most likely, there is only a close sounding connection that people took advantage of.

I read a great story where one tells others ow he learned to mind his own business. He was walking by a mental hospital and all the patients were outside chanting “13…13…13…”.

Since he couldn’t see over the tall fence, he looked around and saw a small gap in the planks. So, he looked through the hole to see what was going on. At which point, one of the chanters poked him in the eye.

Then he heard the chant change to “14…14…14…14”

The Bible is pretty clear on avoid being and encouraging busybodies, troublesome meddlers. But where do we draw the line and know if we are caring or meddling. Got Questions gave a great set of questions …

1. Is this any of my business? (1 Timothy 5:13)
2. Has God given me this assignment? (Ephesians 6:19)
3. Am I qualified to involve myself with this? (Romans 14:10)
4. Is my true motivation to bring help, or do I only want to feel needed? (1 Corinthians 13:1)
5. How much of my “discussion” about the situation could be classified as gossip? (Proverbs 11:13)
6. What was the result the last time I intruded in a situation that was not my problem? (Proverbs 26: 11)
7. Has my opinion been sought by those involved? (Proverbs 27:2)
8. Am I motivated by love for this person or by a sense of my own importance? (1 Corinthians 16:14)
9. Am I basing my “help” on Scripture or on my own opinion? (Proverbs 16:25)
10. Do I respond with anger when my “advice” is not accepted or found to be flawed? (Proverbs 17:10)

Answering these will set one’s mindset in the right direction. What a great way to live … being body busy but not a busybody.