1 Thessalonians 2:3-5

So you can see we were not preaching with any deceit or impure motives or trickery. For we speak as messengers approved by God to be entrusted with the Good News. Our purpose is to please God, not people. He alone examines the motives of our hearts. Never once did we try to win you with flattery, as you well know. And God is our witness that we were not pretending to be your friends just to get your money!

Some of the biggest relational disappointments I have experienced have been when I have discovered that a friendship I thought was based on who I am, was in reality a friendship based on what I could do for the other person, or what they hoped I would do for them.

Transactionalfriendships are prevalent in out society today, and it is very difficult to develop friendship that are beyond transactional. Over time it seems as if we are trading our friendship for networks that can help us out when we are in need of something. People tend to show preference to others who are wealthier, more famous, or have more or something that they do.

AFter me and Vicky first became Christ-followers, like 20 years ago, we started church shopping. I remember how good it felt when people would warmly introduce themselves to us at a new church and start up a conversation. Often times, it seemed like once they figured out we were already Christ-followers, they would quickly lose interest. It seemed like many of them were looking for someone they could convert, someone who could be a feather in their church hat.

Most of us have probably experienced the multi-level marketing pitch where someone becomes friends with you, invites yuo over for dinner, or out to dinner, and then finally drops the bomb about how they have an opportunity for you, which is really an opportunity for them.

As I grow older, I am increasingly convinced that I need to treat people how I want to be treated. I need to make sure that I am reaching out to people and offering them genuine friendship. I have to make sure I am not giving preference to people that I think can help me out at some point down the road. Intentional networking has its proper place, but I need to make sure I am developing more genuine friendships than I am transactional, networking friendships.

1 Thessalonians 1:6-8

 So you received the message with joy from the Holy Spirit in spite of the severe suffering it brought you. In this way, you imitated both us and the Lord. As a result, you have become an example to all the believers in Greece—throughout both Macedonia and Achaia. And now the word of the Lord is ringing out from you to people everywhere, even beyond Macedonia and Achaia, for wherever we go we find people telling us about your faith in God

Joy in spite of suffering. It’s hard enought for me to have joy in spite of living better than 95% of the world and having everything I have ever needed my whole life. Joy in the midst of suffering is inspiration to those around you. Moping around and complaining in a state of relative-plenty is a source of inspiration as well. Inspiration to NOT be like me.

How cool is it that these believer is Thessalonica were examples to their whole country, and cause the word of the Lord to RING out to everyone, even beyond their own country. That’s powerful. I would like even a tiny bit of that power in my life.