by Dr. Paul Chappell
"Paul, and Silvanus, and Timotheus, unto the church of the Thessalonians in God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is meet, because that your faith groweth exceedingly, and the charity of every one of you all toward each other aboundeth." - 2 Thessalonians 1:1-3
Rather than measure churches by material wealth, we should measure them by spiritual health.
Author Dr. Arthur Boers once wrote, "I often visit newcomers in town and find them to be church shopping. They want to know what they can get out of church. Churches are one more consumer commodity. Worship services are not a place for us to serve God and neighbor but a place where people expect to purchase the best: Inspiring worship, good music, moving sermons, quality child care. As if we buy God and not vice versa."
Our culture has transformed the meaning of church and has adopted a self-centered attitude toward God's house. Churches are measured by services rendered, size of the congregation, social class of members, and availability of the pastor.
A church that wouldn't have met our society's standards was the church at Thessalonica. Founded in the capital of Macedonia, the Thessalonian church was a group of believers who didn't have much. The church had no building or wealthy bank account, offered no special programs for its members, and most its members were of a lower social class. It held no social or political influence as Christians were despised outcasts during Roman rule. Yet despite their not measuring up to today's standards, they were highly praised by the Apostle Paul. The Thessalonian church members had two characteristics that Paul pointed out.
They were a faith-filled church. Paul thanked God for the church "because that your faith groweth exceedingly." Being a faith-filled Christian cost more in the early church period than it does now. Think about it-Christians were punished, imprisoned, and killed for their faith. These believers didn't know freedom of religion or freedom to wholly pursue God in every area of their lives. Yet despite the restrictions they faced, they grew in faith.
They were a love-filled church. Paul also noted that "the charity of every one of you all toward each other aboundeth." In a time when spies were a threat to their safety, the early church members not only embraced each other, but abounded in love toward each other. If there was a need in the life of a fellow Christian, they did all they could to help meet that need. Some Christians even sold all they had to help others.
How do we measure our church's health? Do we look to its programs and services or do we look at the members? Paul points out the health and growth of the Christians at Thessalonica. Even though they didn't have much, they glorified God where they were.
Take time to evaluate your own spiritual health. Are you growing in faith? God desires for you to step out by faith each day and trust Him to direct your life. Also, are you growing in love toward your fellow Christians? You may feel times of frustration and hurt from what someone does, but don't allow bitterness to keep you from abounding in love. Ask God to help you grow each day and reflect the qualities of the Thessalonian Christians.
Daily Bible Reading
Proverbs 3-5 | 2 Corinthians 1