“For you yourselves know, brethren, that
our coming to you was not in vain.”
– 1 Thessalonians 2:1
Fourth, a faithful minister speaks and ministers to
please God not people (2:4-6). Paul continued:
·
1 Thessalonians 2:4-6 - 4 But as we have been
approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, even so we speak, not as
pleasing men, but God who tests our hearts. 5 For neither at any
time did we use flattering words, as you know, nor a cloak for covetousness—
God is witness. 6 Nor did we seek glory from men, either from
you or from others, when we might have made demands as apostles of Christ.
Paul
was “approved by God” (δοκιμάζω dŏkimazō, dok-im-ad´-zo). God had examined and tested
him before he was entrusted with the gospel. Part of that testing must have
involved his pure motives. But the real test was whether or not he would cave
in to peer pressure and compromise the gospel message so as to please people.
He had to be tested to see if he would stay true to God’s gospel word even in
the face of opposition. This was a test for him not God. So here we see
persecution serves the purpose of revealing our motives whether pure or not
(2:4a).
God
“tests our hearts” (2:4b). Someone has said, “A faith that isn’t tested can’t
be trusted.” A faith that is tested, and proven reliable, can be trusted. God is
faithful. If God were to test your heart, what would He find? Would He find
someone who is willing to stand up to opposition in order to preach the truth
the gospel of God and His word? Or would He find someone that would water down
or compromise the gospel and word of God in the face of opposition. Would He
find someone who is more seeker sensitive than scripturally sound? Paul
was not a people pleaser. He knew that if he put pleasing people above pleasing
God he would cease being a servant of God (Ga. 1:9-10).
What
might a person be tempted to do in order to please people and avoid
persecution? Paul who took and past God’s test over and over tells us what he
was unwilling to do in the face of opposition. Someone who fails this test is
someone who uses “flattering” words (κολακεία kŏlakĕia,
kol-ak-i´-ah) or insincere
or excessive praise in order to manipulate someone. Flattery is the
practice of dishonestly praising someone. It often involves “a cloak of
covetousness.” Covetousness (πλεονεξία plĕŏnĕxia, pleh-on-ex-ee´-ah) as it
is used here would involve putting on a false presentation in order to get
something out of someone. Like the person who assures you they have your best
interests at heart only to discover later that they unloaded a damaged or
faulty product on you that doesn’t measure up to their previous claims. Think
dishonest car salesperson (2:5a). Sadly, this is the way many ministers come
off today; especially those in the media. This is often the reputation the
world has of all ministers because of the selfishness of a few.
To
combat this reputation of selfishness and regain ministry as being above
reproach I encourage the practice of not taking an offering in church
services. Where God guides He provides. Let the Spirit move on people to
obediently give the tithe and offering. Remove any possible basis for an
accusation of self-profit. Apply some faith in stewardship. See what God will
do in terms of financial support as well as purifying the reputation of
ministry. When the world attends a service where there is no offering taken, it
is a surprise to them and testifies to that church’s dependence on God as well
as pure motives in ministry.
Paul
affirmed this statement by saying, “God is witness” (2:5b). Paul had mentioned
earlier how the Thessalonians lived in the “sight of God” (1:3). Paul now says
his ministry was lived “in the sight of God as well. If Christians are to live
in the sight of God, how much more should ministers live in the sight of God?
What does God think about the way you minister? Would you do what you do in the
presence of the Lord? He is there you know. Thank about that (cf. 2 Chronicles
16:9; Psalm 139; Zech. 4:10).
Paul
further emphasizes his honest ministry by saying he didn’t seek people’s glory
or their support, “when we might have made demands as apostles of Christ”
(2:6). Paul could have asked for support both in terms of accolades and actual
financial support. He chose not to. One commentator states, “Traveling philosophers and
orators were common in the Roman Empire. They itinerated from place to place,
entertaining and seeking a personal following for fame and fortune. Paul and
his companions had nothing in common with such men! Rather than seeking
something for themselves they delighted in giving to others freely.” [1]
As an apostle Paul had been entrusted with a great amount of authority by the
Lord. He could have thrown his weight around. But he did not. He had a
servant’s heart and served His Lord humbly by serving others humbly. He
realized he was a product of God’s grace not his own efforts (1 Cor. 15:10). A
workman is worthy of their wages (1 Tim. 5:18), but there were times when Paul
chose not to avail himself of this privilege in order to forward the gospel
(e.g. 1 Cor. 9). That is the sign of a true minister of God.
Are
you in ministry or seeking to be in ministry in order to earn a living or make
some money? If so, you’re in the wrong line of work. Ministry is not a
profitable career financially speaking. It is a very profitable career in terms
of eternal rewards. But those rewards are not frequently seen in this world.
They are realized and seen in the hereafter. An honest minister of God will
forego profit in this life in order to make prophets in this life. An honest
minister of God will forego and sacrifice financial gain now in order to secure
the eternal life and salvation of souls of the lost. Ministry more often than
not involves long hours and low pay. Are you willing to walk that line? This is
what it means to live to please God and not men.
[1]Walvoord,
John F.; Zuck, Roy B.; Dallas Theological Seminary: The Bible Knowledge
Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures. Wheaton, IL : Victor Books,
1983-c1985, S. 2:694
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