August 22 2026

August 22 Saturday

1 Thessalonians 2:6

“Seeking God’s Glory, Not Ours”

Welcome to Pastor’s Chat. Today we continue our journey through 1 Thessalonians chapter 2, where Paul is describing the character and motives of his ministry among the believers at Thessalonica. Yesterday, in verse 5, Paul said: “For neither at any time used we flattering words, as ye know, nor a cloak of covetousness; God is witness.” Paul wasn't trying to manipulate people with flattering words, and he wasn't using ministry as a means of getting something for himself. Now in verse 6, Paul goes even deeper into the motives of his heart: “Nor of men sought we glory, neither of you, nor yet of others, when we might have been burdensome, as the apostles of Christ.” Notice that phrase: “Nor of men sought we glory.” Paul wasn't looking for applause. He wasn't looking for recognition. He wasn't trying to make a name for himself. He wasn't measuring the success of his ministry by how many people praised him. Paul understood something that every believer needs to remember: The purpose of our lives is not to bring glory to ourselves. It is to bring glory to God.

Jesus said in Matthew 5:16: “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” Notice Jesus didn't say that people should see our good works and glorify us. He said they should see our good works and glorify our Father which is in heaven. That's an important distinction. There is something in our human nature that enjoys being recognized. We like to be appreciated. We like someone to tell us that we did a good job. And there is nothing wrong with encouraging someone or expressing appreciation for what they have done. The problem comes when the praise of people becomes the reason we do it.

Jesus warned about this in Matthew chapter 6. He spoke about people who gave so that others would notice them. He spoke about people who prayed so that others would admire them. He spoke about people who fasted so that others would recognize how spiritual they were. And Jesus repeatedly warned about doing spiritual things “to be seen of men.” It is possible to do the right thing for the wrong reason. We can serve and secretly hope someone notices. We can give and hope someone recognizes our generosity. We can sing, teach, preach, or serve in the church and become disappointed when no one thanks us. We can even become discouraged when someone else receives recognition that we thought should have been ours. That's when we need to ask ourselves a very important question: Whose glory am I seeking?

Paul said: “Nor of men sought we glory.” Paul knew that the approval that ultimately mattered was not the approval of people, but the approval of God. In Galatians 1:10, Paul wrote: “For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ.” You see, if our primary goal is to please people, eventually we will be tempted to compromise what God has called us to do. But if our goal is to please God, we can remain faithful whether people applaud us or criticize us. Whether people notice us or overlook us. Whether someone says “thank you” or no one ever recognizes what we have done. That is especially important in Christian service. Many of the greatest acts of service for God are probably things that very few people ever see. Someone quietly praying for another person. Someone giving to meet a need without telling anyone. Someone visiting a lonely person. Someone faithfully teaching a small group week after week. A mother or father faithfully teaching their children about the Lord. Someone sharing Christ with a neighbor. Someone serving behind the scenes at church where hardly anyone knows their name. The world may never recognize those things. But God sees them. And ultimately, His approval is the only approval that really matters.

Paul continues in verse 6 by saying: “When we might have been burdensome, as the apostles of Christ.” As an apostle, Paul could have asserted his authority and demanded certain rights and privileges. But he chose not to make himself the center of attention. Instead of asking, “What do I deserve?”, Paul was asking, “How can I serve?” That reminds us of Jesus Himself. Jesus said in Mark 10:45: “For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give His life a ransom for many.” If anyone deserved to be served, it was Jesus. If anyone deserved recognition, honor, and glory, it was Jesus. Yet He humbled Himself and became a servant. And that should be our attitude as well. My friend, we live in a world that constantly encourages us to promote ourselves. We are told to make ourselves known, build our reputation, gain followers, and make sure people recognize what we have accomplished. But the Christian life points us in another direction. We are not here to make ourselves famous. We are here to make Jesus known.

John the Baptist expressed it beautifully in John 3:30: “He must increase, but I must decrease.” What a wonderful motto for every believer! He must increase. Jesus should become more visible in our lives. His love. His grace. His compassion. His truth. And we must decrease. So today, let's examine our hearts. Why do we do what we do? Are we seeking the praise of people, or are we seeking the pleasure of God? Are we building our reputation, or are we pointing people to Jesus? May the desire of our hearts simply be: “Lord, whatever I do today, may You receive the glory.”

Let's pray. Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for reminding us that our lives are not about receiving glory for ourselves, but about bringing glory to You. Forgive us for the times when we have desired the praise, recognition, or approval of people more than Your approval. Purify our motives and help us to serve faithfully even when no one notices or thanks us. Teach us to follow the example of Jesus, Who came not to be served, but to serve. May Jesus increase and may we decrease. And in everything we say and everything we do, may You receive all the honor and all the glory. In Jesus' name, Amen.

God bless you, and may you have a wonderful, wonderful day!