Paul's Example to the Church (Pt. 2) 1 Th. 2:9-12

This is part 2 of Paul's example to the Thessalonian church. The first part emphasized the principle of showing grace even when you may deserve something. This second part of his example focuses on proving his worth and the authenticity of his message (cf. Matt. 10:10). Paul could have gone to Thessalonica and demanded money in exchange for his "services", but that's not the route he decided to take. Paul chose to live among them, work among them, and let his message shine through in everyday life with these people. His desire wasn't to be a burden to anyone there so he chose not to live off of their means. He worked hard so that he could provide his own needs and only leave them with the message of the Gospel.

I feel like today there's not many people who take the same route Paul did. I don't believe that there are many (myself included at times) who are willing to follow Paul's example. To him it was much more important to share the message of Christ than earning a paycheck and receiving a "housing allowance". I look at his example and it challenges and inspires me to check my heart and really see what God is calling me to do. Sometimes my motives are impure and my desires are to gain more (i.e. "fame", recognition, money, or whatever) and all of that takes away from the message that God has called me to share. Whether I like it or not, more often than not people are going to look at my example before they ever choose to listen to my message. Now they may "hear" my message first but my example and the way my life is lived and represented to them is probably going to be the deciding factor as to whether or not they will "listen" to the message.

Created over 3 years ago