Stewarding the Gospel
For Meditation
This week we come to the end of our series on stewardship titled “Entrusted.” Last week we looked at a Jesus parable about gifts and talents. This week we consider Paul’s encouraging words offered to Timothy. Timothy sometimes appeared fearful and timid. In seeking to boost young Timothy, Paul reminds him of his own faith and God’s power revealed in the gospel.
The apostle Paul declares to the Romans that ‘the gospel is the power of God for salvation to everyone who has faith, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.’ Missionary-theologian Lesslie Newbigin reminds us, “The Gospel is an account of things which have happened… It is narrated history... and it is told with a belief about its meaning.”
Like Timothy, we have moments of doubt and weakness when it comes to sharing our faith. We may lack confidence in this gospel message. Or we may doubt our ability to speak convincingly of God’s message.
It is reassuring to remember that the Christian gospel is based on events that happened in history. Paul and other eyewitnesses testify of seeing the risen Lord Jesus and proclaiming this truth despite persecution. This same message of good news in Jesus has been given to us in our time for believing and sharing with others
As stewards of this gospel, we are called to believe it, live it, treasure it, guard its essential truth, hand it down to the next generation and pass it on to those who have not heard.
TIMOTHY 1:5-14
5 I am reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and, I am persuaded, now lives in you also.
Appeal for Loyalty to Paul and the Gospel
6 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. 7 For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline. 8 So do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord or of me his prisoner. Rather, join with me in suffering for the gospel, by the power of God. 9 He has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time, 10 but it has now been revealed through the appearing of our Savior, Christ Jesus, who has destroyed death and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel. 11 And of this gospel I was appointed a herald and an apostle and a teacher. 12 That is why I am suffering as I am. Yet this is no cause for shame, because I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him until that day.
13 What you heard from me, keep as the pattern of sound teaching, with faith and love in Christ Jesus. 14 Guard the good deposit that was entrusted to you—guard it with the help of the Holy Spirit who lives in us.