In the ancient world, many speakers, actors, and rhetoricians would travel about promoting new philosophies and asking for support during their travels. Many of these orators would not look out for the best interests of their audiences, but simply seek to benefit financially from their listeners.
The apostle Paul was an orator as well. He went about proclaiming a message of rescue for people estranged from the living and true God (1 Thess. 1:9-10). Paul was not opposed to accepting gifts from his audiences (Phil. 4:18), and he definitely thought his message was worth material support (1 Cor. 9:11). Paul was well aware that other people with other ideas were swarming about simply seeking financial gain, and that is why he (along with Silas and Timothy) assured the Thessalonians that “[their] exhortation did not come from error or impurity or by way of deceit…for [they] never came with flattering speech…nor with a pretext for greed” (1 Thess. 2:3-5). In the preceding verses, Paul explains that he and his companions were not out for their own gain. Paul was truly concerned about the welfare of those who believed his message of rescue. Paul, Silas, and Timothy became so close to the Thessalonians that these three men imparted to them not only the gospel, but also their own lives (1 Thess. 2:8).
Springs of Grace Oceanside is seeking to imitate the example set forth by Paul, Silas, and Timothy. Much like the ancient world, our world is filled with salesman, various religious groups, and solicitors of everything under the sun. Our goal in this mission is to share not only the gospel of God, but also our own lives with those we meet in Oceanside. Join us as we imitate Paul, who imitated Jesus Christ, the one who shared his gospel-life with a people who continued to fall short.
