“For we never came with flattering speech, as you know, nor with a pretext for greed – God is witness – nor did we seek glory from men, either from you or from others, even though as apostles of Christ we might have asserted our authority” (1 Thessalonians 2:5-6).
Pay attention to what people want. They will tell what they are thinking by what they are doing and revealing what they are after. The Gospel is something to be given away. One who receives it does so without any expectation. One must do nothing to receive the Good News. We might well assert authority, but that is not necessary. Learn and be wise. See that the Lord gives you the greatest gift freely.
Lord, grant that I would learn wisdom. You show me these things and I often go on ignoring them and then wishing I had learned the lesson. Teach me that others will reveal who they really are by what they do and what they are after. Let me be one who seeks You and Your righteousness and nothing else. That is enough for this world. Help me to learn the lessons I need to learn in order to be one who follows You.
Lord Jesus, You came into the world not expecting the world to give You anything. You gave away Yourself the whole time You were here, ending with the greatest gift of all by paying the price we could not pay for our salvation. Lead me by Your example to live by Your example and not in the way of the world, which always wants something. Lead me Lord so that I may follow You. Amen.
