"For our exhortation does not come from error or impurity or by way of deceit; but just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not as pleasing men, but God who examines our hearts. For we never came with flattering speech, as you know, nor with a pretext for greed--God is witness--nor did we seek glory from men, either from you or from others, even though as apostles of Christ we might have asserted our authority. But we proved to be gentle among you, as a nursing mother tenderly cares for her own children. Having so fond an affection for you, we were well-pleased to impart to you not only the gospel of God but also our own lives, because you had become very dear to us. For you recall, brethren, our labor and hardship, how working night and day so as not to be a burden to any of you, we proclaimed to you the gospel of God. You are witnesses, and so is God, how devoutly and uprightly and blamelessly we behaved toward you believers; just as you know how we were exhorting and encouraging and imploring each one of you as a father would his own children, so that you would walk in a manner worthy of the God who calls you into His own kingdom and glory" (1Th.2:2-12).
Here is how Paul describes the way he served people. He was very careful to avoid error or deceit. He didn't flatter people or try to impress them and seek money or honour from them. He was tender with them as a mother or father, caring for them enough to labour for them. Above all, he did everything aware of the searching eyes of God.
This is not an example to admire, but to compare ourselves with. This is the stuff true servants of God are made of, and our duty is to check if we fall short of it. If we look around, we can see blatant neglect of these values and, on the contrary, scheming and manipulating to gain something from the people. They aren't really serving the people at all but exploiting the people to serve themselves.
But what about us, whatever service we are rendering to God and His people? Is it about us or them? Is it about us or God? Are we really serving God and His people or our ministry is a way for us to become great or wealthy?
We may not be some great 'servants of God' but simple people who want to serve God. We can't change the others, but we can begin to change the way we live and serve God. We can eliminate in our lives things we see 'great' people doing and start becoming careful to live before God to whom we have to give an account one day. We can't afford to think that people are happy. This is not the day of reckoning but that day is surely coming. We may fool people, but we cannot mock God before whom all things are laid totally bare (He.4:13). We cannot think that the 'great ones' are doing many things that we consider as wrong and God's blessings are still upon their work. Surely God is allowing these things for a time because He loves the people, but surely a judgment is coming.