1 Thessalonians 2:9-12

1 Thessalonians 2:9-12

For you all remember, brothers and sisters, our hard work and exertion.  Night and day – while working in order to not be your burden – we proclaimed the good news of God into you all.  You all and God are witnesses as we became holy and blameless and righteous for you that believe – just as you all have known – as we became to each one of you all like a father is to his children.  While exhorting you all and consoling and emphatically insisting in order that you all behave worthy of the God who calls you all into His kingdom and glory.

Thoughts for Today

First Thought:

Paul makes sure that the Thessalonians remember one key part of the Christian life: work.  If something has worth, then it is worth working for it.  If we really want something that is truly worth having, then we should devote ourselves to attaining it.  This is especially true when it comes to things that God wants for us!  Paul wanted people to come to God without questioning his motives.  Therefore, he worked for his own wage rather than asking those of the faith to support him.  There would be no question that Paul came to them so that they could know God rather than coming to them so that he could take their resources.  Paul wants it to be clear that his ministry was centered on God, not his accumulation of wealth.

Have you ever questioned whether a spiritual leader is there because of a genuine calling or because of their need to gain material resources?  How can this put a shadow on ministry?

Second Thought:

Then Paul uses another really neat analogy.  Paul reminds them that he and his associates became like a father to them.  This reinforces the point I made a moment ago.  Do fathers ask their children to support them?  No!  Usually it is the parents who actually support the children while the children are learning to grow and become productive.  Paul supported himself.  Paul also supported the Thessalonians as they grew and developed in the spirit.  Paul was not interested in what he could get out of them; Paul was very interested in how they could be brought into relationship with God.

How does this point help shed light on the earlier point?  How can the goal of ministry help shed light on the motivation for ministry?  How does this help us understand the importance for truly discerning the goal of a ministry?

Third Thought:

So what was Paul’s goal in Thessalonica?  His goal there was the same as his goal everywhere.  Paul exhorted people to live in a manner worthy of God.  His goal was to remind people about God’s calling for their lives.  His goal was to teach people about the kingdom of God and His glory.  Paul’s goal – and his motivation – was very clear.

What do you think about Paul’s goal in ministry?  How do they compare to your goals?  How do they compare to the goals of ministries in which you are participating?

Passage for Tomorrow: 1 Thessalonians 2:13