Entrusted

"Guard, through the Holy Spirit who dwells in us, the treasure which has been entrusted to you" 2 Timothy 1:14, NASB

Paul tells Timothy that he is to guard the treasure entrusted to him. In this verse, he also says that the Holy Spirit will help him to guard that treasure.  That treasure is the gift of Christ. It is the gift of faith that has been entrusted to him as a believer.  Timothy has the treasure of Christ and the calling as a teacher to pass on the truth of the Word of the Lord that has been entrusted to him. Paul reminds Timothy that he is not alone on this mission, God is with him.

In a world that is so full of people who do not want to trust Christ, it is comforting to know that God is still at work in our lives helping us to treasure His gift of eternal life, His everlasting love and the hope of His calling. Through the work of the Holy Spirit, we know that we can share the good news of Christ with others. We can be true to our calling. Regardless of what they say or do, we can guard the treasure that has been entrusted to us.

Just like you, I have been involved in several recent conversations with those who deny Christ. I thank God that it is not my job to convince or convict them, but I can guard the treasure entrusted to me,

Lord, help me to share. Help me to guard your truth! Amen.

treasure and living faith

 "Therefore I have lent him to the Lord. As long as he lives, he is lent to the Lord" (1 Samuel 1:28, ESV).  

This quote is from the story of Hannah.  She had wanted a child for a long time, but she did not have one until she was older.  Before this son came, she was mocked (verse 6) and anxious (verse 16).  She cried out to the Lord and poured her heart out to Him (Eli, the priest, sees this in verses 12-18).  

What happens is that God remembers her (verses 19-20).  At the end of it all, Hannah gives her son to the Lord (verse 20).

Verse 20 reminds me that whatever we receive from God, it is His.   A relationship with Him is our greatest treasure, on earth and in heaven.

Where do we take this?  We can take this knowledge, that God has this ability to work miracles, to heart.  We can share with others this living faith that we have because of what Christ has done for us. We can give our troubles to the Lord and trust that He is living and at work today.  I pray we show others how God is our treasure.

"Treasure" by Tree63 - myspace.com link to audio play

"For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also" (Matthew 6:21, ESV).

Photo from movie National Treasure - photo link