1 Thessalonians 2:5,6 - Nor did we seek glory from people

2:5

The Thessalonians knew the truth of all this as well. They could attest for themselves that Paul had never used flattery. The true gospel leaves no scope for flattery, for it declares that we have all sinned and fall short of the glory of God, we are all fallen creatures incapable of saving ourselves. It is not a flattering message! Nor did they try to make money out of the Thessalonians. This was an important point that Paul made in 2 Corinthians, where he was criticised for not taking money from them! Two signs of a false gospel are flattery and trying to make money out of the gospel.

2:6

Paul and his companions neither looked for monetary reward nor for praise. It would, in fact, have been quite proper for them to receive both. We should pay church workers properly, and we should honour those who serve the Lord. However, we should also seek to emulate Paul’s attitude. We must not serve God for monetary gain nor for worldly honour. If we are rewarded then so be it, but that must not be our heart.