⁸Having so fond an affection for you, we were well-pleased to impart to you not only the gospel of God but also our own lives, because you had become very dear to us. ⁹For you recall, brethren, our labor and hardship, how working night and day so as not to be a burden to any of you, we proclaimed to you the gospel of God.

Ministry can be very personal; you would think that should go without saying. Yet a common undercurrent beneath skeptics’ cynicism is their claim that churches are filled with infighting. In grudging support of that view, we present Paul’s Corinthian letters as exhibit A. However, his Thessalonian letters provide a contrasting exhibit B. Paul’s affectionate, heartwarming relationship with these latter believers is evidenced in his opening comment, “Having so fond an affection for you.” This phrase, used only here in the Bible, carries the sense of a strong yearning or longing love. The apostle had a deep connection with this young church.

Such regard was not based on superficialities like similar hobbies, personalities, social position, or other human affinities. Paul’s feelings grew out of the recognition of their faith, hope, and love (1 Thess. 1:3). In other words, they had gotten off to a great start in their Christian walk. His letter was a stimulus to continue doing well, as he writes later, “Therefore encourage one another and build up one another, just as you also are doing” (1 Thess. 5:11).

Notice also that in Paul’s mind the gospel is not just about our vertical relationship with God, but also our horizontal relationship with others. There is a close relationship between sharing the gospel and sharing a life; Paul does both. Think about it for a moment. He had no economic gain in going to Thessalonica and suffering the hardships of persecution and travel. He was simply committed to preaching the gospel and imparting its benefits to those who receive the message and believe.

Thessalonica was a prime embodiment of the Roman world, where people were motivated by financial benefit, outward honor and glory, as well as all the usual accouterments of sinful desires like comfort, power, prestige, sensuality, etc. Paul did benefit, but not in those ways. He gained the joy and warmth of an intimate connection with people that he did not have before. But that was really a collateral benefit rather than the primary purpose. He was motivated instead by how the gospel would benefit his listeners. He worked hard day and night at his own expense and sacrifice so that he could preach the gospel freely (see Acts 18:3, 20:33-35, 2 Cor. 11:9).

Lord, I confess that often I am more motivated by the benefit I receive than of what others receive through my service to them.