Guard the Deposit

 

1 Timothy 6:20-21

“O Timothy, guard the deposit entrusted to you.  Avoid the irreverent babble and contradictions of what is falsely called “knowledge,” for by professing it some have swerved from the faith.  Grace be with you.” 

What comes to mind when you entertain the thought of “guard the deposit entrusted to you?” For me it is stuff, like money, and maybe it’s an heirloom that has been passed on from one generation to the next.  (I have little knowledge of heirlooms, the Rice’s had stuff left that even the trash people refused to take.)  But the Holy Spirit is not talking about stuff, He is referring to something of much greater worth, the wonderful, the powerful, the amazing handbook about living life on planet earth; the Bible.  In the pages of the Book is found all truth, all knowledge, the promises of our Creator and Lord Jesus Christ, and it is those truths and promises that the apostle Paul is making reference to.

So what are we to deposit?  First and foremost is the knowledge of our spiritual foundation, look to 2 Timothy 2:19, “But God’s firm foundation stands, bearing this seal: “The Lord knows those who are his,” and “Let everyone who names the name of the Lord depart from iniquity.”  Paul warns the church in Corinth that he has laid a foundation that someone else is building on, but to take care how you build upon it.  Then he says these words, “For no one can lay a foundation other than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.” (1 Corinthians 3:11)  Then comes our spiritual investments and Jesus said; “But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.” (Matthew 6:20) 

We must never lose sight that quarreling about words is of no value and only ruins those who listen.  In 2 Timothy 2:15, we are instructed to be workmen who are approved by God and who correctly handle the word of truth.  And in verse 16 of that chapter the Spirit states, “Avoid godless chatter, because those who indulge in it will become more and more ungodly.”  We have been clearly instructed to guard our hearts in Proverbs 4:23, “Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life.”

So what does the handbook on life tell us to guard our hearts from; doctrine that is found in worldly teaching; look at the instruction in Colossians 2:8, “See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ.”  This is not a task that God has told us to accomplish in ourselves, listen, grasp, set your mind on this truth; “Guard the good deposit that was entrusted to you – guard it with the help of the Holy Spirit who lives in us. (2 Timothy 1:14 NIV)  The English Standard Version says the same thing in this way, “By the Holy Spirit who dwells within us, guard the good deposit entrusted to you.”

Remember, God does not expect your flesh to improve and to perform this task of guarding the deposit entrusted to you, but you are to ask and depend on the Holy Spirit who dwells within you, if you are in Christ!

From the Back Porch,

Bob Rice