Article November 2, 1957 Issue

MINDING ONE'S OWN BUSINESS

JOHN GERARD LORD

Of the many and varied characteristics of the human mind, perhaps the persistent desire to dictate to and control others is one of the most dominant. This desire actually stems from the age-old struggle as to who shall be greatest among men. Even Jesus' disciples were not immune to this temptation, for it is recorded that on one occasion they asked the Master who should be greatest in the kingdom of heaven (see Matt. 18:1-4).

The Master rebuked this thought of selfish ambition by setting a little child in their midst and pointedly telling them that none could even enter the kingdom of heaven until he had first learned to become as a little child. Jesus implied by this that one must learn to express the childlike qualities of love purity, simplicity, humility, and the like

One of the ways in which we frequently endeavor to dictate to or control others is by giving unsolicited advice. Often we try to map out the path that we think others should follow, even going so far as to plan a way of life for them, at least in some degree. Then when the one we would thus help refuses to be guided by such, advice and counsel, we are apt to be quite unhappy and disturbed!

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