Ans. Paul is writing that he charged the Thessalonians to do this, and chap. 1:3 and all the chapter tells, us how they did it, and how we also can do so, by walking in the same path in our "work of faith, and labor of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God our Father." They turned to God from idols to serve the living and the true God, and to wait for His Son from heaven, Jesus, our Deliverer from the coming wrath.
Ans. To those who truly love Him, it was more than either of them. It was love's gift to express to us His love; and in our remembering Him, we express our love to Him. Precious privilege!
Ans. Man is looked at as a steward here. We found ourselves unfaithful stewards that must give account. Now we are converted, we are still stewards. The wise steward makes use of the present stewardship for the future.
Verse 9 teaches us so to do. Naturally we would use all for ourselves, for the present, but we are reminded that our present will "fail", and wisdom secures something for the future. Our future is glory with Christ, but our stewardship requires us to use our present so that we will be rewarded then as in 1 Tim. 6:17-1917Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy; 18That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate; 19Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life. (1 Timothy 6:17‑19). For if we live selfishly; Luke 16:11,1211If therefore ye have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches? 12And if ye have not been faithful in that which is another man's, who shall give you that which is your own? (Luke 16:11‑12) teach that our unfaithfulness will hinder our enjoyment of our own heavenly riches, as in Eph. 1:33Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: (Ephesians 1:3). We will not enjoy what is really life (see N. T. 1 Tim. 6:1919Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life. (1 Timothy 6:19)).