What do You Want?

1 Timothy 6-Part 5
But those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a snare and many foolish and harmful desires which plunge men into ruin and destruction. 1 Timothy 6:9 NAS

LET IT GLOW

What do I want out of life? What do you want to be when you grow up? What are your goals for your future? These were questions I remember pondering when a senior in high school. My goals were to be a loving wife and mother,  a teacher, live in a nice house, and drive a new car. I had plans to attend a local college and become a home economics teacher, like my sister did. But my wants changed when I fell in love with the new guy in school. We married in November following our graduation. We moved from place to place. We changed jobs and lived in several different houses. We had two children. I was happy and content with my life. Then the Lord began calling us into the ministry, to be missionaries in our denomination. My wants changed. Like Isaiah, I wanted God to use me for His kingdom work.
The first step was for both of us to complete college, then seminary for my husband. I became an elementary school teacher and a Bible teacher to children. As it turned out, my husband has served the Lord in the pastorate for 31 years. He has gone on voluntary mission trips to 4 foreign countries and two states. I have gone to two countries and two states. Now I write Bible studies sending it around the world, so I feel I am still a missionary. My wants changed over the years.
What do you want to do with your life? If you're older, have you achieved it? Was it what the Lord wanted you to do? If not, it isn't too late. Surrender to His will and watch Him work in your life. It's such a blessing.

Swindoll's New Testament Insights on 1 & 2 Timothy, Titus informs us of this:

The way the word want is used in this verse is boulomai in the Greek, which describes its natural tendency. Paul's word choice suggest that humanity naturally tend to pursue material wealth, so an individual must exercise his or her will to choose otherwise. Those who follow their inclinations toward temporal comforts fall into a four-step decline.

Step 1: Temptation-means to test, attempt, examine. The idea of temptation is to determine the ture nature
             of something by putting it to the test. The Bible doesn't command us to resist temptation; it instructs
             us to flee temptation. (1 Cor. 6:18, 10:14; 2 Tim. 2:22)

Step 2: A Snare-meaning a trap. One compromise leads to the wholesale loss of integrity, bit by bit.

Step 3: Foolish and harmful desires-foolish means mind or think. Literally, it's "non-thinking." Desires
             refers to passions or lusts. Secular Greek uses the term most often in conjunction with food or sex.
             Non-thinking passions lead to treacherous destinations.

Step 4: Ruin and destruction-These two terms picture corruption or internal corrosion, followed by utter
             destruction. The New Testament frequently uses the latter word to mean eternal damnation.

So where's the encouragement? I found it in these verses:
Psalm 37:4-Delight thyself also in the Lord and He shall give thee the desires of thine heart.
(God will place His desires into my heart whenever my delight is in Him.)

Psalm 23:1-The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.
(I will not lack in haveing my needs met.)

Jeremiah 29:11-13-For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end. Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you. and ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.
(If I will seek the Lord with all my heart, and pray, then He will hear me.)

1 Corinthians 10:13-There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.
(God will make a way for me to escape the temptation of sin if I will ask Him.)


LET IT GROW

Verse 9 starts out saying in the King James Version: They that will be rich...
The word will is not just an emotional fancy but indicates a calculated and planned procedure to get rich.
I causes a temptation, snare, and hurtful lusts.
Fall indicates that those who have such a desire are continually falling into temptation. Greedy people are compulsive; they're continually trapped in sins by their consuming desire to acquire more.

Destruction and perdition indicates that such greed may lead these people to suffer the tragic end of destruction and hell. These terms refer to the eternal punishment of the wicked.
[Resources: Liberty bible Commentary, MacArthur Bible Commentary]

This sounds serious. As a Christian, my desires, wants, should be to please the Lord, not my flesh. Are they?

LET IT GO

Let go of the desires to be rich and go with Jesus.

Be on the lookout for the temptations around me, trying to grab my wants, tempting me into sinful lusts.

Desire Jesus more than things and money.

Can I Find Contentment?

1 Timothy 6-Part 4
But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.
1 Timothy 6:6-8


LET IT GLOW

What used to make me content? I found it in a big paycheck (security in money), shopping and buying new things (time wasted), my status in a respectable job (pride), driving a new car (admiration of others), wearing new clothes (appearance gave self-confidence)), big house (sign of wealth), dinning at expensive restaurants (glutany). Need I go on? You know something, I only thought those things made me content and happy. Along with those things came worry about paying the bills. I was only feeding my flesh. Oh, I attended church everytime the doors were open, read my Bible, and prayed. But looking back, I kept seeking contentment and didn't find it. That's because I was walking down the wrong path that God had for me. I was seeking contentment in the worng things. That's it, I was seeking contentment in things, not in God and my relationship with Him. Yep, sadly, I have wasted many years. I can't get them back, but I can do right today.
I have found contentment. I have found it in Jesus, living for Him, walking with Him daily, submitting to His will for my life, depending upon Him to meet my needs. I pray that you will find contentment too in Jesus, dear friends and loved ones.

Now, what did Paul mean when he told Timothy that godliness with contentment is great gain?
"He encourages the younger pastor to find contentment in Chrits rather than in the world (6:7-10), to let that satisfaction fuel his striving for excellence (verses 11-16), and then to reproduce his contented striving in others (verses 17-19). This is the joy at the core of Christian ministry, " states Charles Swindoll.

Contentment is defined as a sufficiency of the necessaries of life: a mind contented with its lot, according to
Thayer's Lexicon.

I looked for other scriptures in Young's Analytical Concordance and found none. However, content was found. It means to be pleased, desirous; to ward off, help, suffice. Scripture references were Judges 19:6, 2 Kings 6:3, Job 6:28. We are told to be content with wages (Luke 3:14), food and raiment (1 Tim. 6:8), and such things as we have (Heb. 13:5).

MacArthur Bible Commentary says "Christians are to be satisfied and sufficient, and not to seek for more than what God has already given them. He is the source of true contentment (2 Cor. 3:5, 9:8; Phil. 4:11-13, 19).

The word indeed properly signifies "self-sufficiency", which in its strict sense, only belongs to God, who is
"El-Shaddai", God all-sufficient and self-sufficient. The godly man has enough; and such a man is content with what he has, and thankful for it, submits quietly to the will of God, and patiently bears every adverse providence.  Gain which godliness brings with it, makes a happy man indeed, letting his circumstances be what they will. (from The New John Gill Exposition of the Entire Bible)

The word here used for contentment is autarkeia...By it they meant a complete self-sufficiency . They meant a frame of mind which was completely independent of all outward things, and which carried the secret of happiness within itself. Contentment never comes from the possession of external things. (Barclay)

If contentment isn't found in material things or the getting more of it, thus shopping and to satisfy "the itch for more," how do we get it? Where is it found? It's found in spiritual things, in godliness.

Am I making a priority of material things, shopping and buying, a priority above spiritual things? Am I content to have my basic needs of life, food, clothing, and shelter, met with simple things? Am I thankful for what God has provided me?
2 Corinthians 3:5, Paul states, Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think any thing as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God.


LET IT GROW

What did Paul say that along with contentment was great gain? Godliness is the word he used.

"Godliness" is not meant any particular grace, but all the graces of the Spirit of God; as faith, hope, love, fear...the whole of internal religion, as it shows itself in outward worship, and in all acts of holiness of life and conversation; this is gain, very great gain indeed. (John Gill)

Before I became a Christian, I was in debt to God and could have never paid for it as God requires a sinless sacrifice.  I was spiritually dressed in rags; my righteousness was filthy rags. I was in a starving condition spiritually. Now that I'm a Christian, I'm debt free because it was paid by Jesus; I'm clothed in His robe of righteousness; I'm feasting on the Bread of Life and Word of God; I am a joint heir with Christ in His eternal kingdom. Wow!

I want to be rich in faith and good works. I want to be a godly person having the fruit of the spirit shining in and through me. I'm headed to a city whose builder and maker is God for an incorruptible inheritance.

How can I have godliness? I must be transformed by the renewing of my mind (Rom. 12:2).
Confess my sins (1 John 1:9).
Keep a humble heart, content with simple things.
Be thankful for God's provisions (1 Thess.5:18).
Allow His Word to penetrate my life by memorizing Scriptures.
Submit to His will for my life daily.
Pray according to His will.
Surrender to His Spirit.
Keep believing in Jesus.


LET IT GO

Let go of my attitudes toward material things.

Give God first place in my life.

Going with God's Word

1 Timothy 6-Part 3
If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness;   1 Timothy 6:3


LET IT GLOW

I felt the Lord directing me to be the Children's Church director at my church this year. So I decided to teach these children this month a fundamental doctrine-God is our Creator. I am reading from the first chapter of Genesis, teaching about each day of creation. We can see Jesus in the scriptures as He is Maker of heaven and earth, the light of the world, our Living Water. God planned out each day of His creating. Likewise, He has a plan for our world and life today.

Verse 3 in New Living Translation  says: Some people may contradict our teaching, but these are the wholesome teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ. These teachings promote a godly life.

Like pastors and teachers, I don't stand on my own authority, but on the truth of God's Word. We all must submit to the authority of the original and pure teaching of the Lord Jesus Christ. (Otherwise, what we say is only our words.) In Paul's day, they had verbal teachings of the apostles. In our day, we have the 66 books of the Bible, which are God-breathed words preserved for us. (Swindoll)

Even though Paul's writings in our Bible are actually letters he wrote to churches and individuals, they were inspired words from the Holy spirit. They have been living words down through the ages, preserved for us now.

2 Timothy 4:16 says: All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.

As I have said before, I believe God's Word is turth, not just another story book. Paul says these are wholesome words (hygiano in the Greek), from which we get our words "hygiene" or "healthy." Any other teaching is unhealthy and doesn't lead to godliness (Liberty Bible Commentary)

I will strive to make sure that my words are from God's Word and not my own opinions, so I'm going with God's Word. I want to read what He has to say to you and me. It's my authority to live by and I submit to the Bible's teachings. Will you?

LET IT GROW

Paul is stongly warning Timothy about anyone who teaches something contrary to this orthodox teaching of Christ.
Here is what is said in Swindoll's New Testament Insights on 1 & 2 Timothy, Titus:

The Greek word is a compound of heteros (different, another, foreign) and didasko (to teach).
This isn't someone who differs with a pastor or ministry methods. Paul is talking about someone who has strayed from God's Word in forming his or her beliefs. If someone's doctrine does not lead to good deeds, then it fils the first test of orthodoxy. They are a heretic.

Paul describes this one who doesn't submit to the authority of Scripture as:

• proud, conceited, puffed up, in a fog, head-in-the-clouds, lofty view of himself and his own ideas towers above everything and everyone else;
• knowing nothing, the Greek term is epistamai, which is "epistemology", the study of knowledge gained through formal education and personal study; so he's a know-nothing;
• controversial questions, refers to philosophical investigation;
• disputes about words, word-fights, debates.

Five church-killing effects of the heretic's activities are:

• envy, jealousy
• strife, divisions
• railings, slanders
• evil surmisings or suspicions
• personal, monetary gain

The heretic's mind is corrupt and they have turned their backs on the truth. To them a show of godliness is just a way to become wealthy.
Am I watching out for those who ride in big cars, wear expensive clothes and jewelry?


LET IT GO

Submit to God's Word as the authority in my life.

Teach His Word as turth.

Beware of false teachers and their teachings.

Blessing Believing Bosses

Timothy 6-Part 2 If the masters are believers, that is no excuse for being disrespectful. Those slaves should work all the harder because their efforts are helping other believers who are well loved. Teach these things, Timothy, and encourage everyone to obey them.
1 Timothy 6:2 NLT


LET IT GLOW

Sometimes it's easier to work for a boss that is a believer in Jesus and sometimes it is not. Certainly we have all had some bosses that made it questionable as to which they were. Either way, Paul continues to give Timothy instructions concerning the matter of how slaves, or employees are to treat their bosses. Yesterday, we read about how to treat non-believing bosses, with submission and respect, doing quality work, so the gospel is believable and witnessed.

Continuing with words from Swindoll's New Testament Insights on 1 &2 Timothy, Titus:

One might expect him to have written, "Christian master, do what is right and set your slaves free immediately!" But he didn't for at least three reasons:
(1) The circumstances of slavery varied. Some slaves had been captured from conquered nations and sold.
      Many people sold themselves to pay off debts or in exchange for room and board. Others did it out of
      devotion to a family. Any way, the issue of submission didn't change based on the circumstances.
(2) Paul addresses the issue from the slave's perspective, not the slave owner's.
      Elsewhere, he commands believing slave owners to grant their slaves "justice and equality" (Col. 4:1,
      Philem. 16). Perhaps he presupposed their fair treatment.
(3) The topic here is submission to authority, not the morality of slavery. Christian principles might
      revolutionize human institutions eventually, but not before changing their character first. Paul calls slaves
      to offer their Christian masters respect and to serve them all the more, not to avoid punishment, but to
      accept the circumstance as an opportunity to love a brother. Service, after all, is the cornerstone of
      Christian virtue (Matt. 20:26-28; John 13:4-17).

Am I using my position as an opportunity to shower a Christian brother with blessings? Is my  work a gift of service to a fellow believer?


LET IT GROW

We should be just as respectful and work just as hard for a Christian boss as a non-Christian, according to verse 2.

Here's what Liberty Bible Commentary had to say:
KJV uses the word despise, here meaning "to look down on." Employees aren't to have this attitude toward believing bosses. All people are not the same in respect to being a leader, a boss. Some are not cut out to be one. (If so, we wouldn't have any workers, would we?) In another light, some people will always have more than others by working harder or inheritance.
Paul tells Timothy to teach and exhort these things. He's referring back to the doctrine and duty presented by Paul so one behaves in the right manner in the house of God, the church. The believer is to seek godliness and not gain of worldly goods or glory.

MacArthur Bible Commentary said, "Working for a Christian should produce more loyal and diligent service out of love for the brethren."

So I should watch my behavior, making sure it is becoming to Christian principles.


LET IT GO

Be respectful to believing bosses and serve them like a brother.

Submit to their authority, obeying their instructions.

Give my best at my work, honoring Christ.

Let my life be a witness of my faith.

Be a blessing to my boss.

Authority and Attitudes

1 Timothy 6-Part 1
Let as many servants as are under the yoke count their own masters worthy of all honor, that the anme of God and his doctrine be not blasphemed. And they that have believing masters, let them not despise them, because they are brethren; but rather do them service, because they are faithful and beloved, partakers of the benefit. These things teach and exhort.  1 Timothy 6:1-2


LET IT GLOW

Throughout the thirty-eight years following high school, I have had many jobs. They have included: seemstress at 3 different sewing factories; researcher in a college library; teacher of preschoolers,  pks, transitional 1st, 1st, 2nd, 5th, and 6th graders, at Christian and public schools; seller of jewelry, of  home products; worker at a print shop. During those times I had Christian and non-Christian bosses. Looking back, I wonder what kind of witness I had as a Christian employee/worker. Did I show respect to those in authority over me? Did I honor them when they weren't around? Did I follow their instructions? If so, then I honored my God and His teachings, according to Paul.

Swindoll's New Testament Insights on 1 & 2 Timothy, Titus states:
The first six verses of chapter six can be divided into three distinct part:

• submission to a non-Christian authority (verse 1)
• submission to a Christian authority (verse 2)
• submission to the authority of God's Word (verses 3-6)

First, let's talk about the submission to a non-Christian authority.
The "yoke" was a powerful symbol of subjugation. Farmers laid a carved wooden beam across the shoulders of a abeast of burden, cinched it right with leather straps, adn harnessed it to a plow or some other kind of implement. In the context of slavery, however, the yoke illustrated dehumanizing servitude. Slaves were human tools, subject to the whims of their masters. Whereas citizens of the empire enjoyed remarkable protections and Roman suabjects lived in relative harmony with their government, slaves had few rights.
Paul calls on slaves to "regard"-that is, "to lead, think, believe"-their owners "worthy of honor." This is to be a choice on the part of the slave, a decision sourced within his or her will. Regardless of outside circumstances, slaves are encouraged to alter their thinking to accept that their masters are better than they actually behave.
In this case, of course, the honor is not monetary, but in the form of respect.

Take note of the apostle's reason for commanding this admittedly difficult attitude: to avoid giving influential non-Christians any reason to defame the Lord, or to discredit the gospel. Subversion is not the answer; godly influence is the best means of undermining the practice of slavery. The institution of slavery may persist throughout the world, but if one's own master becomes a brother, then in a practical sense, the goal has been reached.


LET IT GROW

Slave, bondservants, and servants are people in submission to others. They are used in connection with the Lord, serving the Father (Phil. 2:7), believers serving God (1 Peter 2:16), the Lord (Rom. 1:1), non-Christians (1 Cor.9:19), and other believers (Gal.5:13).
The phrase "under the yoke" is an expression describing submissive service under another's authority.
The Greek word for master refers to one with absolute and unrestricted authority.
All honor translates into diligent and faithful labor for one's employer.
How a believer acts while under the authority of another affects how people view the message of salvation Christians proclaim (Titus 2:9-10). Displaying a proper attitude of submission and respect, and performing quality work, help make the gospel message believable (Matt. 5:48).
(MacArthur Bible Commentary) *My emphasis

That sheds a new light on the subject. As I serve a non-believer, I'm actually proclaiming the gospel of Jesus. I knew there were scriptures telling me to glorify my Lord in all I do, such as Colossians 3:17, 23, but my serving is bringing the Word to life. They see that It can be applied and is true.
Whether it's in the home, church, or work place, I am to serve God by serving others.


LET IT GO

Treat others with love and respect.

Be obedient to those in authority over me.

Favoritism

1 Timothy 5-Part 4
I solomnly charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus and of His chosen angels, to maintain these principles without bias, doing nothing in a spirit of partiality.  1 Timothy 5:21 NAS


LET IT GLOW

As a parent, I didn't want my child treated more special than his or her classmates because I was a teacher. As a school teacher, I tried not to show partiality or favoritism to my students, treating them  the same. However, often times that philosophy caused problems for me. There were always mothers who wanted their little Johnnny to be the best, in the limelight, have the most recognition, top dog, highest grades. I'm sure it frustrated these mothers when it didn't mean anything to me that a parent was on the school board, president of the PTO, rich, donated money to the school, or was a fellow teacher. I didn't make decisions based upon who the child's parent was, but on a child's capabilites. I didn't play the favoritism game.
Paul had some similar attitudes about partiality.

Partiality in the Greek means favoritism, according to Thayer's Lexicon.

Paul tells Timothy to do nothing by partiality. How often are decisions made based upon our favoritism of people? It occurs daily in families, churches, schools, businesses, and society. One person is given special privileges or not repromanded because of who they are.
This makes me stop and think. Am I showing favoritism in a given situation?


LET IT GROW

In the last part of chaper 5, Paul is giving the church's obligations in regard to honoring, protecting, rebuking, and selecting pastors (elders). Let's dig a little deeper into what he says.
1. Honoring Pastors
    Those which rule well are worthy of double honor (honor for their work's sake, paid for their labor).
    See 1 Cor. 9:9-11, Deut. 25:4.
    Double honor can be translated "generous pay."
    "It is God's plan that the needs of His servants be met by their local churches, and He will bless churches
    that are faithful to His servants. If a church is not faithful, and its pastor's needs are not met, it is a poor
    testimony; and God has ways of dealing with the situation. He can provide through other means, but then
    the church misses the blessing; or He may move His servant elsewhere," states Warren Wiersbe.

    They are teachers and preachers, expositioning Scriptures publicly.

    "If a church values excellent teaching, strong preaching, and spiritual leadership, the congregation should
    give its leaders sufficient financial provision to devote a normal work week to the church's ministries,"
    stated from Swindoll's New Testament Insights On 1&2 Timothy, Titus.


LET IT GROW

2. Protecting Pastors
    Those who make an accusation against a pastor must bae able to support it with witnesses. Rumor and
    suspicion are not adequate grounds for discipline.

3. Rebuking Pastors
   When an accusation is made, witnesses ought to be present. (Matt. 18:15-17) The same process for the
    whole church applies to pastors. It protects them from frivolous, evil accusers.

   Liberty Bible Commentary had this to say:  

   Accusation, kategoria in the Greek, is a word used of formal charges before a court. A minister has one
    solemn possession, his character. An accusation against him, therefore, is serious and must be witnessed
    before two or three persons or not at all. This would stop many rumors and save many of God's servants,
    if heeded. It must be done decently and in order (1 Cor. 14:40).

4. Selecting Pastors
    Paul is telling Timothy that the ceremony of laying on of hands (blessing), which affirms his calling into
    public ministry, should not be done hastily. Hastily refers to proceeding with this ceremony without a
    thorough investigation and preparation period to be certain of the man's qualifications. (MacArthur)
    To me, this should be a time of prayer and fasting as the church seeks their spiritual leaders, getting clear
    direction from God as to His will concerning the matter.

    " Paul wanted Timothy to use wine which, because of fermentation, acted as a disinfectant to protect his
    health problems due to the harmful effects of impure water. With this advice, however, Paul was not
    advocating that timothy lower the high standard of behavior for leaders," quoted from MacArthur Bible
    Commentary. 

    "With highly effective, prescribed medicines today there is no justification for believers to hide behind this
    verse to imbibe!" quoted from Liberty Bible Commentary.

    In verses 24 and 25, Paul is talking about the sins of some men are evident for all to see, which may
    disqualify them to serve as a pastor. On the other hand, their good works are evident, which qualifies them
    to serve as pastor. Choosing a pastor should be done patiently, fairly, impartially, and purely. Then the
    right choices will be made. So, time will tell what's inside the man as his works reveal his character. Given
    time, poor character qualities will surface, as well as good ones.

Shouldn't all Christians have honorable character qualities as the pastor?


LET IT GO

Be impartial, not showing favoritism.

Follow Paul's guidelines for honoring, protecting, rebuking, and selecting pastors.

Strive to have these same character qualities for the Lord's glory.

Reneging on a Promise

1 Timothy 5-Part 3
The younger widows should not be on the list, because their physical desires will overpower their devotion to Christ and they will want to remarry. Then they would be guilty of breaking their previous pledge. And if they are on the list, they will learn to be lazy and will spend their time gossiping from house to house, meddling in other people's business and talking about things they shouldn't. So I advise these younger widows to marry again, have children, and take care of their own homes. Then the enemy will not be able to say anything against them. For I am afraid that some of them have already gone astray and now follow Satan.
1 Timothy 5:11-15 New Living Translation


LET IT GLOW

Have you ever known a person who reneged on a pledge or promise? What does that mean? They made a promise and backed out on it, did not keep it. Paul is warning Timothy that young widows have this tendency. In order to be on the widow's list getting assistance from the church, the young widow would take a pledge, make a specific covenant, promising to devote the rest of her life in service to the church and the Lord. At their time of need and bereavement, they were sincere, but later on they would renege.
(MacArthur Bible Commentary)

These younger widows had a tendency to remarry, even an unbeliever. Therefore, Paul is encouraging Timothy to not put them on the widow's list, thus reneging on their promise. He encourages these to marry and have children, and be keepers of  their home. Raise up children to live for God.


LET IT GROW


Other tendencies of young widows is found in verse 13:
-lazy (idle),
-gosipping (tattlers) from house to house,
-meddling in other people's business (busybodies, prying into things that don't concern them),
-talking about things they shouldn't.

Actually, we don't have to be a widow to do these things, do we? Anythough Paul is talking about young widows, I need to make sure that I am not doing these things, too. Am I putting a stop to those who gossip, are busybodies, talk about things that are none of their business, prying into others' affairs? Is it true what they are saying? Have they asked that person about this?

Warren Wiersbe said in his book Be Faithful:

While there are times when a Christian wife and mother have to work outside the home, it must not destroy her ministry in the home. The wife who works simply to get luxuries may discover too late that she has lost some necessities. It may be all right to have what money can buy if you do not lose what money cannot buy.


In verse 16, Paul says believers should take care of their widowed relatives so the church can care for those who have no one to take care of them.
Our previous lesson discusses the requirements for such widows which the church shoud support.


 LET IT GO

Even though I'm not a widow, make sure I don't gossip hurting another's reputation; that I'm not a busybody, prying into another's business that's none of my business.