Surely you remember, brothers and sisters, our toil and hardship; we worked night and day in order not to be a burden to anyone while we preached the gospel of God to you. You are witnesses, and so is God, of how holy, righteous and blameless we were among you who believed. For you know that we dealt with each of you as a father deals with his own children, encouraging, comforting and urging you to live lives worthy of God, who calls you into his kingdom and glory.

Hard Work. It is important to model true diligence in providing for both family and community. Jesus worked hard—both in his career as a carpenter and in his ministry. Paul and his companions did the same. Paul was a tentmaker, and his two companions apparently either supported him or had their own vocations.

Preaching the Gospel. This is a holy calling. It matters deeply. But words alone do not suffice; they had to live out the gospel as a model. They needed to be holy, blameless, and righteous. The only way for “sinners saved by grace” to achieve this is by relying on the Spirit of God to enable them. Keep short accounts, hold each other accountable, see others as God’s children, and love the unlovable.

Treating as Spiritual Children. They loved the believers as if they were their own children. They encouraged them to take risks in their faith and be bold, comforted them when they faced hardship and persecution, and reminded them of their hope in Jesus—to use his sacrifice as a model for life.

Who do I mentor today? Do I see myself as a spiritual leader? If so, who are my children in the faith?

Lord, help me to see the “long game” in working with others—and to play to win by following the example of these leaders. May there be no complaint because I was not a burden, but a blessing! May I build up, lift up, and invest in others!