Read with Me
1 Thessalonians 2:7-10 (HCSB)
Although we could have been a burden as Christ’s apostles, instead we were gentle among you, as a nursing mother nurtures her own children. We cared so much for you that we were pleased to share with you not only the gospel of God but also our own lives, because you had become dear to us. For you remember our labor and hardship, brothers. Working night and day so that we would not burden any of you, we preached God’s gospel to you.
Listen with Me
There were many “false apostles” traveling throughout the empire at the same time Paul was working in the field, but they differed wildly in their commitment to the gospel, as well as in their motives. There were some who were self-sacrificing servants of the gospel like Paul. But others were in it for the money that they could charge unsuspecting Christians for sharing “the secrets of the kingdom”.
But Paul never was that kind of “apostle”. He could have made a lot of money simply by sharing his experience with the risen Jesus and what he had learned about Jesus’ commandments. But Paul had been specifically commissioned by Jesus Himself to take the gospel message to the gentiles so that they could turn from death to life (Acts 9:15-16). And Paul had been faithful to that calling from the beginning.
In line with Paul’s normal methodology, he had come into the city of Thessalonica looking for a local synagogue in which he could teach. And when he found one, he had spent three successive Sabbaths sharing the life and ministry of Jesus, as well as the Scriptures that proved He really was the Messiah (Acts 17:1-4). As a result, he was able to bring quite a few to faith in Jesus, Jews as well as gentiles.
But Paul didn’t demand to be “well taken care of” by these new disciples. Instead, he simply joined them in fellowship, sharing their lives, and even picking up leather work and tent-making jobs to provide for his own room and board. He had not been a burden on anyone.
Pray with Me
Father, it is clear that Paul’s focus was always on sharing the gospel as broadly and deeply as possible, and that he didn’t mind paying his own way to do so. We do know that many other congregations that he had founded supported him during many periods of his ministry (2 Corinthians 11:9; Romans 15:24; Philippians 4:15-18). His task was his reward, and he had no goal of wealth, but of simply doing what he had been called to do, and relying on You to provide what he needed each day, whether that provision came directly from You or through the hands of Your people. Lord, help me to keep that same focus in my own life, so that I can faithfully complete the job You have given me, and so that I can be content with what You abundantly supply each day. Amen.