Deeper Reflection
THE CHURCH IN PHILIPPI SENT SOME GIFTS TO PAUL WHILE he was in Thessalonica (Phil 4:16), but “these were evidently inadequate for his needs, perhaps because the Macedonian churches suffered from ‘extreme poverty’ [2 Cor 8:1-2]”¹¹. In these circumstances, Paul “could have made demands” on the Thessalonians by asking them for money “as apostles of Christ” (v.6), which was his God-given apostolic right (1 Cor 9:14 – note “the Lord commanded”). But Paul chose “not [to] be a burden to any of you” (v.9). Instead, he put aside his rightful rights and “worked night and day” “in labor and toil” for his personal sustenance. Probably, Paul preached by day and worked by night¹² as a tentmaker (Acts 18:3). Paul was staying with Jason (Acts 17:5-7). He earned his living and “presumably paid Jason for his board and lodging”¹³, as he reminded the Thessalonians, “we did not eat anyone’s bread without paying for it” (2 Thess 3:8). In this way, Paul showed the Thessalonians how he gave his own self to them as he proclaimed to them the Gospel (v.8). Christian leaders can abuse God’s Word, “Obey your leaders” (Heb 13:17), to assert their authority in a self-centred and autocratic manner. Selfcentred husbands can likewise abuse God’s command, “Wives, submit to your husbands” (Eph 5:22), toward their wives. The starting point in godly leading, in whatever setting, is giving ourselves to serve in love, and with this we will wisely put aside our rightful rights when it is necessary.

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¹¹ John R. W. Stott, The Message of Thessalonians, The Bible Speaks Today (IVP, 1991), 53 ¹² John R. W. Stott, 53 ¹³ John R. W. Stott, 53