Who Gets the Glory? - December 11

Read 1 Thessalonians 2:6

Nor did we seek glory from people, whether from you or from others, though we could have made demands as apostles of Christ.

Reflect

If you could choose between fame and notoriety now in this world or eternal glory in heaven, what would you choose? Why?

When the Gospel is preached in a stadium full of people and hundreds accept Christ as their Savior, who gets the glory? The preacher or God? When a church is filled to the brim week after week with people eager to hear the Word of God and serve the body of Christ, who gets the glory? The elders or God? When a child places their faith in Christ, who gets the glory? The parents that discipled them and led them to the Lord…or God?

In today’s verse, Paul continued to defend his ministry. So far, Paul has maintained that, despite much opposition and mistreatment, they were bold and courageous because their faith was in the Lord’s power, not their own (1 Thessalonians 2:2). Paul also held that they were not in error, nor were they impure in their motives or conduct. They weren’t being deceitful or trying to flatter anyone (1 Thessalonians 2:3,5). In fact, their main objective was to please the Lord, not man. They spoke His truth with pure hearts. For confirmation, he appealed to the Thessalonian believers' own experience with their ministry (1 Thessalonians 1:5). But he also called on a much higher witness—God Himself (1 Thessalonians 2:5).

Now, we read that Paul and his associates were not seeking glory from anyone. Many may have considered them justified to exercise their authority as apostles who were appointed and approved by God. They could have acted superior and lorded their God-given authority over the people. They could have demanded honor and praise and prestige. They spoke for God! They had been specially chosen by Him! They had spiritual experiences with the Lord that were exclusive. They could have been puffed up and full of pride. But Paul upheld their humility. They were not seeking glory for themselves even if they could have.

In 2 Corinthians 4:5, he wrote: “For what we proclaim is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, with ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake.” They were serving Christ, so they were accountable to Him to do His will and preach His word—for His glory, not their own. Paul also instructed the church: “So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God” (1 Corinthians 10:31).

Paul once said that preaching the Gospel gave him no grounds for boasting but it was his duty as a steward: “For if I preach the gospel, that gives me no ground for boasting. For necessity is laid upon me. Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel! For if I do this of my own will, I have a reward but if not of my own will, I am still entrusted with a stewardship. What then is my reward? That in my preaching I may present the gospel free of charge, so as to make full use of my right in the gospel” (1 Corinthians 9:16-18).

Paul’s reward for preaching the Gospel was the fact that God was glorified and people were hearing the truth of the Gospel. But he was also able to look forward to an even better reward in the future—eternal glory with Christ! In Romans 8:18, he wrote: “For I consider that the suffering of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.”

He also wrote: “For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal” (2 Corinthians 4:17-18). I can’t think of anything more transient in this world than glory from people. People are fickle fans. But a share in eternal glory with Christ? That is ever lasting.

So, when we share the Gospel, teach the Word, do acts of service, engage in ministry work, sing praises, etc, who gets the glory? For Paul, Silas, and Timothy, all the glory belonged to God.

Respond

“Worthy are you, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they existed and were created” (Revelations 4:11). Lord, I proclaim You, for Your glory and never for my own. May You be glorified in everything I say and do. Amen.

Reveal

Share the Gospel with someone to the glory of God.