Why should I care?

Over the span of your life how many times have you heard someone say, “It’s none of your business”, whether directly or indirectly? I know as a kid you used to hear, “It’s none of your bee’s wax!” Our society has developed the mentality of “what’s done in the privacy of our home is our business…not yours.” However, should I care what my brother or sister is doing outside of our congregational activities? Should I care how my brother and sister in Christ choose to behave or not behave while not at services? Is it any of my business really? Let’s see if we can find a Bible answer to this question.

Paul said in Galatians 6:1-2, “Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted. (2) Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ (ESV).” We may properly deduce from this passage that brethren are to be concerned with one another’s spiritual life. Due to the fact your physical actions have repercussions on your spiritual life then it is your business to watch out for a brother or sister in Christ. However, Paul is quick to remind us to not only watch out for one another we are to watch out for our own souls. The principle is to bear one another’s burdens. What does it mean to bear each other’s burdens?

The word Paul uses in the original tongue for “bear” means literally, “to take up with the hands or to put upon one’s self (one of several definitions from Thayer’s Greek Lexicon).” When the Greeks heard or read this word they would have immediately thought about these burdens as something they were personally to carry themselves or take responsibility. The implication Paul makes in verse 2 is when we take responsibility for our brother or sister in Christ we fulfill the law of Christ, however, when we neglect to take responsibility of their burden then we are failing the law of Christ. Many have used these passages to include physical needs and while physical needs certainly fall under the context of a burden the more applicable application is any of life’s burdens. Consider what Jesus says about our burdens. Matthew 11:28, “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest (ESV).” Jesus certainly gives us peace or rest from our burdens in life; however, as Christians we should be lifting the burdens of one another. Should I care when my brother or sister is not at services? YES! Should I care when I notice my brother or sister may be neglecting the Lord? YES! Should I care when I am confronted with the choice of bearing a burden or taking the responsibility of a brother or sister in Christ when they are burdened with physical or spiritual needs? YES! Should I mind my own business? NO!