Guard & Grow the Good Deposit
1 Timothy 1:3-14 | September 5 – 11, 2023
When I deposit money in an interest-bearing savings account, I expect two things of my bank:
(1) GUARD my money!
(2) GROW my money!
No one deposits money in a bank that has a reputation for losing money deposited, whether by theft or impropriety. When we surrender our earnings to a bank we are trusting them to GUARD our investment through cutting edge security technologies and organizational accountability. Furthermore, we are counting on their promise to GROW our initial deposit based on the terms of an agreed annual percentage yield (APY). This year we’ve been encouraged to see banks offering 4-5% APY savings accounts, but any bank that doesn’t keep that promise won’t be trusted in the future.
I share this introduction, because I see a thought-provoking connection between our financial investments and God’s spiritual investment in us. Those who have placed their faith in Jesus Christ are blessed with the gift of the Holy Spirit as a matchless investment within our hearts. The most beautiful part about this investment is that it comes from a reliable source with a generational track record of trust. In 2 Timothy 1:5 we witness a snapshot of this generational track record when Paul writes to Timothy, “I am reminded of your sincere faith, a faith that dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice and now, I am sure, dwells in you as well.” From this verse we witness Paul encouraging Timothy with a reminder that the same faith that dwells in him is one that has proven trustworthy throughout his own family history.
Following this encouragement Paul goes on to encourage Timothy to GUARD and GROW the good deposit entrusted to him!
GUARD – “By the Holy Spirit who dwells within us, guard the good deposit entrusted to you.” (1 Timothy 1:14)
GROW – “For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands, for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.” (1 Timothy 1:6-7)
Upon receiving Jesus as Lord and Savior a believer becomes the recipient of an infinite APY with dividends dispersed when a believer is united with Christ in heaven. “We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure” (Hebrews 6:19), and in response we are given the opportunity to express our appreciation through surrender and service of the One who paid our debt in full!
My prayer for you is a refreshing reminder of the confidence you should have in the deposit Christ made on your behalf. Walk with certainty and live unconventionally in the broken world around you to proclaim the Good News of what Jesus has done for you (Mark 5:19)!
