“So, being thus tenderly and affectionately desirous of you, we continued to share with you not only God’s good news (the Gospel) but also our own lives as well, for you had become so very dear to us. For you recall our hard toil and struggles, brethren. We worked night and day [and plied our trade] in order not to be a burden to any of you [for our support] while we proclaimed the glad tidings (the Gospel) of God to you.” 1 Thessalonians 2:8-9 ->me: As much as I have read the letters of Paul I really never put together that he worked in trades (tent maker) and commerce to earn money. Paul, Silas, and Timothy were so loving of the Thessalonian church that they preached and proclaimed the gospel to them (building their number), they encouraged and spent time with them; sharing in each others lives, and on top of that earned extra money on their own in order not to be a burden on the church for support. What a picture of generosity, love, and caring heart for the saints. I am motivated and inspired by Paul’s, Silas’, and Timothy’s thoughtfulness. The more the Lord uses me in furthering His Kingdom and coming along the side of others I pray that I can keep this mindset as I engage in service to those in my garden, pouring into them but not becoming a support burden. I think this can take more forms than money or provisions.
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