After Paul had to flee Thessalonica, enemies tried to discredit him with a malicious smear campaign. They tried to lump him in with the many false teachers, charlatans who preached for money, prestige, power, and fringe benefits. Today similar people have given the Christian community a black eye, because they are in it for similar reasons. That makes the job of Christian witness harder, as we have to overcome stereotypes. We can learn from Paul.
Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 2:1-16