Unlikely Treasure

"Today's Devotion" For July 30, 2005

Read: II Corinthians 4:1-12; Psalm 40

UNLIKELY TREASURE

"But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us." (II Cor. 4:7)

If you were going treasure hunting, where would you go? To the seashore; on an expedition to Africa; searching the California wilderness for an old gold mine? Of course the first thing we seem to think of when the word "treasure" is spoken is something material that can be owned, possessed, and has the possibility of monetary gain or power over others.

St. Paul had a challenge facing him in Corinth. The people had lost sight of what was valuable. In fact, many of them had determined that God's Plan of Salvation, through the Cross, was just plain foolish. Somehow they allowed themselves to get caught up in a thought process that saw wisdom as a man-centered product. To this end, they had formed factions around the teachers who had baptized them, calling into question what the other teachers had taught, as well as questioning God's wisdom in the Cross of Christ.

Yet, St. Paul writes, the very wisdom they were looking for was being shared with them throughout the ministry of the apostles. These men of clay were accomplishing great things in the Lord's name because God was using them, in His wisdom, to make the things of the world look as foolish as they really are. Paul points us to the Word of God made flesh, not to any teacher, including himself. It's through the Word that God reveals His wisdom, and it's through people that God reveals His power as He uses them to do extraordinary things in His name. We are the recipients of that "Unlikely Treasure" as He calls us to be His witnesses and reflect His power and wisdom through our lives and our deeds as we touch others in His name.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, as You gave Yourself for me, help me to give myself for others. You are a marvelous treasure to me and You died for all that You might be a marvelous treasure to them as well. Help me to be an instrument of Your peace, so that the treasure You bring to this world might reflect through me to all whom I touch. In Your precious name I pray. Amen.
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--Pastor Boeck

Copyright @2005 Rev. Richard J. Boeck, Jr. All rights reserved.