But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. (2 Corinthians 4:7, NIV)
What is the treasure hidden inside the jars of clay? Why would God use jars of clay to hide treasure? Does God’s power hold the jars together? Is God’s power holding you together? Let’s explore the answers to these questions and find out how great our God is!
Treasure ~ “thesauros” in the Greek
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. (Romans 8:28)
Author Unknown, Source Unknown
God never let’s go!
Some years ago on a hot summer day in south Florida, a little boy decided to go for a swim in the old swimming hole behind his house. In a hurry to dive into the cool water, he ran out the back door, leaving behind shoes, socks, and shirt as he went. He flew into the water, not realizing that as he swam toward the middle of the lake, an alligator was swimming toward the shore.
Don’t have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels. And the Lord’s servant must not quarrel; instead, he must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful. (2 Timothy 2:23-24)
Paul, the writer of this portion of Scripture is getting right to the point. He’s not beating around the bush like some people tend to do. He’s not hinting at what we should do with our lives. He says it directly and clearly. We are to have nothing to do with conversation that is foolishness. When was the last time you had a foolish conversation with someone? Did you share something that didn’t need to be shared? Have your words been uplifting lately? Have you been argumentative? Paul expressed the need to not get into stupid arguments. Arguing leads you no where fast and is not helpful when showing people who Jesus is. Avoid arguments as much as possible!
But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. (1 Timothy 6:6-7)
It is only in God that we find true contentment. He is the One who fills us up and gives us true meaning for life. There is a huge difference between contentment and happiness. Happiness is a feeling. You might feel happy today because everything has gone right and then tomorrow things might change. That’s why God’s Word says contentment and not happiness. God wants us to be content in Him because this is not dependent on how we feel. This is dependent on what we have in God. We can learn so much from what Paul writes in Philippians.
I have hidden your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you. I praise you, O Lord; teach me your decrees. I have recited aloud all the regulations you have given us. I have rejoiced in your laws as much as in riches. I will study your commandments and reflect on your ways. I will delight in your decrees and not forget your word. (Psalm 119:11-16)
What does it mean to hide God’s Word in our hearts? This verse is so vital to the life of a Christian, so let’s break it down.
First, what kind of things do we hide in life? We hide two kinds of things in our lives: things that our treasures which we do not want anyone to take from us and things that we are ashamed of that we never want anyone to see. Well, hiding God’s Word in our heart is a treasure and it brings light to those things that we are ashamed of. If we only read God’s Word like a novel, comic book, newspaper, or some other piece of information it will be stored temporarily in our minds. Here today, but gone tomorrow. God asks us to store it up in our hearts, which means we need to meditate on it. We need to dig into it with the tools we have been given. If you don’t understand a word, look it up in a dictionary. If you need more understanding of one verse, look it up in a commentary or if you feel led to memorize it, then do so.