Good signs
Because of our love for you we were ready to share with you not only the Good News from God but even our own lives. You were so dear to us! Surely you remember, our friends, how we worked and toiled! We worked day and night so that we would not be any trouble to you as we preached to you the Good News from God. (verses 8,9)
Too often we hear or read of famous evangelists who put on spectacular shows in large arenas or on television, rake in vast sums of money, set up multi-million-dollar businesses and adopt luxurious lifestyles. These words from Paul paint a picture of a different way of doing mission work by supporting yourself and sharing your life. These actions are good signs of truth and sincerity.
We could use them as a test of the integrity of those who come to us in the name of the Lord. They also give us an insight into how we might best make an impact on others in our attempts at evangelism. Jesus himself adopted an approach like this in his ministry. His might be a hard act to follow, but it is possible for anyone who wants to share God’s love with others.
Dear God, teach me to be a humble and sincere ambassador for you. Let people get a glimpse of you as a result of my actions. Amen.
by Richard Hauser, in ‘New Strength for each Day’ (LCA, Openbook, 1998)
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