Give God Glory for the Growth in Others - 1 Thessalonians 3-5

1 Thessalonians 3:9-10 (ESV)

For what thanksgiving can we return to God for you, for all the joy that we feel for your sake before our God, as we pray most earnestly night and day that we may see you face to face and supply what is lacking in your faith?

The context of this portion of 1 Thessalonians will help us understand the above words of Paul to this church.  Paul wanted to travel to this church to encourage them.   However, Satan hindered him from going to them:

1 Thessalonians 2:18 (ESV)

because we wanted to come to you—I, Paul, again and again—but Satan hindered us.

(If Satan can hinder Paul’s ministry imagine what he can do against ours!)

So since he was hindered, he sent Timothy to encourage them.   In this section, Timothy has now returned to Paul and informed him of their great faith and unwavering love for Jesus and for Paul.   This is where the above long sentence comes in to shape our thinking.  Paul is asking a rhetorical question.  He wants to put into their minds how much thanks he would have to pour out to God for this amazing news and joy he is receiving as he continues to pray that he would be able, himself, further supply their growth, coming to them.   Being absent from them does not stop him from praising God for their growth.  It gives him much joy.   Note how another New Testament writer said the same thing when he heard about those of the faith living strong in faith:

  3 John 1:4 (ESV)

I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.

Paul, like John, saw the growth in those they served and that gave him much joy.   We can get excited about many things in this world.   But watching others grow in Christ ought to be at the top of our list.   And Paul knew that the power for their growth came from God.  That is why he is breaking out in thanksgiving.  He did praise Timothy.   He learned that others can do this work, as well.  But the glory went to God.   We cannot steal God’s glory when the saints grow because of the works of our ministry.   Only God can do the growth.  We are simply the voice.  Don’t steal God’s glory. If we do, it will also steal our joy.   We rejoice when we see God do a work in the lives of others.