Guard the Treasure

“Guard, through the Holy Spirit who dwells in us, the treasure which has been entrusted to you.” 2 Timothy 1:14

Paul referred to God’s “treasure” that young Timothy was given as he entered the ministry. All gifts include the gift of “power and love and discipline” that God has given to all of us (2 Tim. 1:7). The Holy Spirit deposited that treasure in us, and we are expected to guard it through the same Holy Spirit.

The action and responsibility are ours. The means by which we obey is the internal dwelling presence of the Holy Spirit who entered our bodies at the same time of our salvation (1 Cor. 6:19). That unique down payment of the Triune Godhead (Eph. 1:14) made it possible for us to keep the good with which He entrusted us. The breath of God’s gift to us is beyond imagining, but there are a few insights that may help us understand His bounty.

In the most broad perspective, we are given “to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven” (Matt. 13:11). That gift requires that we be given “the mind of the Lord” so that we may grasp these great spiritual truths (1 Cor. 2:16). The deposit that God placed with us is not a leap in IQ or mental ability. It is truly a “new self” that God has empowered to be “renewed to a true knowledge according to the image of the One who created him” (Col. 3:10).

But his great spiritual capacity must be guarded. There is no guarantee of spiritual wisdom this side of eternity. We must beware “that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception, according to the tradition of men, according to the elementary principles of the world, rather than according to Christ” (Col. 2:8). God has made it possible for us to gain the wisdom of holiness so “that you may be filled up to all the fullness of God”
(Eph. 3:19).