1 Thessalonians 2:9-12

Overview:
Paul is reminding them that they worked hard and long hours so that the Thessalonian church would not have to support them while they were there preaching the gospel. They exhibited "holy, righteous, and blameless conduct" during this time. This time he says he treated them as a father with his children. A father is the disciplinarian who exhorts and encourages his children to do the right thing just as Paul and his fellow laborers did.
Application:
When I work long hours on various projects for the church, I need to be holy, righteous and blameless (not complaining or seeking approval from others by telling them all that I am doing). It is for the Lord, not for anyone else that I should be doing service/ministry.