“For what is our hope or joy or crown of boasting before our Lord Jesus at his coming? Is it not you? For you are our glory and our joy.” (1 Thessalonians 2:19-20)
Paul’s greatest boast wasn’t his education, his ministry success, or his theological brilliance. It was the people he invested in. He looked at the Thessalonian believers and said, “You are my crown.” This is radically countercultural. We live in a world that tells us to build our own platform, protect our own reputation, and climb our own ladder. But Paul found his greatest joy not in self-promotion but in seeing others flourish in Christ. When we start viewing people as threats to our success rather than as crowns to invest in, we’ve missed the heart of discipleship entirely.
Think about the people in your life who might trigger jealousy or comparison. Maybe it’s a coworker who got the promotion you wanted. Maybe it’s someone in your church who seems more gifted or more noticed. Maybe it’s even your own child who’s making choices you don’t understand. What if, instead of seeing them as threats or disappointments, you saw them as potential crowns? What if you invested in their account, celebrated their wins, and prayed for their flourishing? This is the upside-down kingdom of God, where we leverage our lives for what lasts forever: God’s Word and the souls of people. Your fruit grows best on other people’s trees.
Reflect:
- Who in your life triggers jealousy or comparison, and how might God be calling you to invest in them instead?
- What would it look like to find your joy not in your own success but in seeing others grow in Christ?
- Ask God to transform your heart toward someone you’ve seen as a threat, and to help you invest in their growth for His glory.
