1 Thessalonians 3:6-13

Overview:
Since Timothy is back with us reporting on this time with you, we are greatly encouraged! It helps us stand firm knowing you too are standing fast in the Lord.  How can we give thanks for all the joy this news has brought to us? We continue to pray earnestly for you all that we will be able to come to you and help you in your walk, and that your love for one another would continue to grow, so that one day you can stand before God with blameless hearts.
Application:
Paul's love for them is still poured out in this portion of the letter. It made me think again how much Scripture "space" is taken up with Paul's concern for these churches that he started. Why would God want that repeated over and over? There has to be a reason. I think the reason is that all too often our tendency is once we see people saved, we move on too quickly. It's inconvenient for us to pour our lives into one person, or a small group - when we could be reaching so many more. The problem with that thinking is that the crowds may be bigger, but are you really making a difference in lives?! Initially - yes, but over the long-haul, not really. That is the example I believe Paul is hammering into our heads - that just like you don't give birth and say - "Well that's done. I'll move on now," you wouldn't do that with a new believer. But often times that's what we do; unlike Paul who sounds like the nurturing parent throughout these Pauline Epistles.
May I never lose the desire/love to have a meaningful ministry with a few. Quality, not quantity is the goal. If we take the time to build into people's lives, one day they too will reproduce and then the quantity will come. But in the meantime, be a patient farmer, and nourish the crop you have until it is full grown ready to reproduce.