August 20 2026

August 20 Thursday

1 Thessalonians 2:3-4

“A Message With Pure Motives”

Welcome to Pastor’s Chat. Today we continue our journey through 1 Thessalonians chapter 2. Yesterday we saw how Paul and Silas, despite suffering and being shamefully treated at Philippi, were still “bold in our God to speak unto you the gospel of God.” Now in verses 3 and 4, Paul begins to tell us something about the motives behind his ministry. He writes: “For our exhortation was not of deceit, nor of uncleanness, nor in guile: But as we were allowed of God to be put in trust with the gospel, even so we speak; not as pleasing men, but God, who test our hearts.” Paul was concerned not only about what he preached, but also why he preached it.

In verse 3, Paul tells us three things that were not true about his ministry. First, it was “not of deceit.” Paul wasn't preaching something he knew was false. His message wasn't based upon error. He was convinced that Jesus Christ was the Son of God, that He had died for our sins, that He had risen from the dead, and that salvation was found through faith in Him. Second, Paul says his ministry was not “of uncleanness.” His motives were not impure. He wasn't using religion as a means of satisfying some selfish or sinful desire. His life and his message were to be pure before God. Third, Paul says it was not “in guile.” That means Paul wasn't trying to trick or manipulate people. He wasn't using the gospel to take advantage of them. There was no hidden agenda.

And then Paul tells us why. Verse 4 says: “But as we were allowed of God to be put in trust with the gospel, even so we speak.” I love that expression: “Put in trust with the gospel.” Paul understood that the gospel did not belong to him. God had entrusted it to him. Think about that! The message that Jesus Christ came into this world, died on the cross for our sins, was buried, rose again, and offers eternal life to everyone who will believe—that message has been entrusted to us. What a privilege! And what a responsibility! If someone entrusted you with something extremely valuable, you would take great care of it. If someone handed you something precious and said, “I'm trusting you with this,” you would feel a tremendous responsibility to protect it and faithfully deliver it. My friend, God has entrusted us with something far more valuable than silver or gold. He has entrusted us with the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 4:2: “Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.” A steward doesn't own what has been placed into his hands. He simply has the responsibility to faithfully care for what belongs to someone else. That's what we are with the gospel. We didn't invent the message. We don't have the authority to change the message. We don't have the right to make it more acceptable to the culture around us. Our responsibility is simply to faithfully proclaim it. But Paul goes even deeper. He says: “Not as pleasing men, but God, who test our hearts.” There is the key to pure motives. Who are we trying to please?

It is very easy to become concerned about what people think about us. We like to be appreciated. We like to be accepted. We like people to approve of what we say and what we do. But Paul reminds us that ultimately there is only One Person we must please—and that is God. People see what we do. But God sees why we do it. People hear our words. But God knows our hearts. Paul says that God “test our hearts.” That means He examines and tests our motives. And that should cause every one of us to ask ourselves: Why am I doing what I'm doing? Why do I serve? Why do I give? Why do I witness? Why do I teach? Why do I preach? Is it so that someone will notice me? Is it so that someone will praise me? Or am I doing it because I genuinely want to please God? That applies not only to pastors and missionaries. It applies to every believer.

Every one of us has been given opportunities to influence someone for Jesus Christ. There are family members watching us. There are neighbors watching us. There are people at work watching us. There are friends who need to hear about Jesus. And God has put us in trust with the gospel. My friend, what a privilege it is that God would trust ordinary people like you and me with the greatest message the world has ever heard! So today, let's ask God to keep our message true, our lives pure, and our motives right. Let's remember that we are not here primarily to please people. We are here to please God. And may we faithfully share the precious gospel that He has entrusted to us.

Let's pray. Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for entrusting us with the wonderful gospel of Jesus Christ. Help us never to take that privilege lightly. Keep our hearts pure and our motives right. Forgive us for the times when we have been more concerned about pleasing people than pleasing You. Help us to remember that You know our hearts and understand the motives behind everything we do. Give us courage and faithfulness to share the gospel without changing or compromising its message. May our lives, our words, and our service always bring honor and glory to You. In Jesus' name, amen.

God bless you, and thank you for being with me today on Pastor’s Chat.