November 13, 2015
Scripture Reading: 1 Thessalonians 2:9-12
9Surely you remember, brothers and sisters, our toil and hardship; we worked night and day in order not to be a burden to anyone while we preached the gospel of God to you. 10You are witnesses, and so is God, of how holy, righteous and blameless we were among you who believed. 11For you know that we dealt with each of you as a father deals with his own children, 12encouraging, comforting and urging you to live lives worthy of God, who calls you into his kingdom and glory.
Questions for Reflection:
As we discovered earlier this week, Paul’s primary concern was with protecting the integrity of his message, the gospel. What did Paul do so as to not be a burden on others and to be blameless before them? One question that we need to ask as we read Scripture is whether what is being written is descriptive (telling us what happened) or prescriptive (telling us how we ought to act too). Do you think Paul’s writing about his bi-vocational ministry is descriptive or prescriptive?
I believe that this passage is descriptive. (In full disclosure: maybe I feel this way since I am paid by a church.) What were some of the advantages that Paul experienced because of his bi-vocaitonal ministry? The tent-making, leather-working that Paul did provided him with unique opportunities. Michael Holmes writes, “The artisan’s shop that he and his colleagues operated was a recognized setting for discussion and instruction; and in view of the long hours that his low-paying occupation would have demanded, Paul of necessity likely carried out some of his missionary activities while working.”
Paul used the opportunities that God gave him to advance the gospel. Where has God placed you in this season of your life? How are you allowing God to use you where you are? God has placed you there for a purpose. Don’t miss the opportunities that He has given you. Spend time today thinking about and praying about how God wants to use you where you are.