One of the major ways in which people learn is by examples. Humans are very good at copying, synthesizing and learning from what they see. Most people will repeat what they have watched others do especially if they respect the person whose examples they are watching.
That is why Paul explained in 2 Thessalonians 3:8-9, that though he had the right to receive help from the people he was shepherding he wanted to lay a good example of hard work so he rather chose to work hard and paid for his needs.
The lesson I want to highlight from 2 Thessalonians 3:8-9 is that in order to be a good example you might have to pay a sacrifice, to go the extra mile to act as a role model. There are some choices that when you make them, they might not be bad in themselves, actually, they might be your right, but these choices might show as a bad example that others will follow.
Choosing to be a good example might definitely not be how you would naturally want to act and this might not be the easier way to take, but it will be a wise way, it is be the fruitful way and with God’s grace made available what excuse do we really have?
Being a good example is very rewarding because you would have imparted in so many lives positively that even after you are gone the impact will still be in effect. Take a look at paul again, even though he no longer physically exist but many people still follow his example of hard work and excellence in caring for the sheep. Our actions matter, they matter a lot and have more consequences than the devil will want us to believe especially if we are in a position of influence. May God help us to spread only light and goodness and not be like those who carry freshwater and bitter water simultaneously, this is “another gospel” and a sign of the end times.
God bless!