March 5 - 1 Thessalonians 2:7-9

March 5 - 1 Thessalonians 2:7-9

But we were gentle among you, like a nursing mother taking care of her own children. So, being affectionately desirous of you, we were ready to share with you not only the gospel of God but also our own selves, because you had become very dear to us. For you remember, brothers, our labor and toil: we worked night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you, while we proclaimed to you the gospel of God.

When Jesus sent the twelve out to proclaim the good news in Mark 6:7-13, he told them to take nothing except their clothing and sandals and a staff.  They were to be cared for by the people who heard the message and if someone refused to do this, they were to leave, shaking the dust from their feet as a message against them.

The priesthood of Israel came from the tribe of Levi, a tribe that was never to own land or property, but was to be cared for by the other tribes because the service they rendered was so important to the people of Israel.

Paul reminded the people of Thessalonica that while a community was expected to care for those who came from God, he wasn’t going to act in that manner.  He didn’t want to be a burden because his message was so important.  The time he invested in these people was something that was worth more than money could buy … it was as important as a mother’s nursing of her child.

Telling others about Jesus is worth every effort we put forth.  Some are paid for their work, others are not, but the message should never waver.  Whether we work day and night as Paul did to supplement his income in order that he and his fellow missionaries could live without being a burden to the church or not, it remains that we must proclaim the gospel of God … the good news that Jesus Christ has come to earth to bring salvation.