Do Not Neglect Your Gift

Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity. Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to preaching and to teaching. Do not neglect your gift, which was given you through prophecy when the body of elders laid their hands on you.

Be diligent in these matters; give yourself wholly to them, so that everyone may see your progress. Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers.

1 Timothy 4:12-16

When Paul wrote to Timothy, he stressed the importance of maintaining his own spiritual health before helping others. He reminded Timothy of his many responsibilities as a pastor: There were false teachings to contend with and wrong doctrines to correct. But to discharge his duties well, what was most important was to “watch (his) life and doctrine closely (and) persevere in them.” He needed to take care of his own relationship with the Lord first before he could attend to others.

What Paul told Timothy applies to us too. Each day we encounter people who do not know the Lord. When we read the Bible we are feeding ourselves spiritual oxygen with God’s Word, prayer, and the enabling of the Holy Spirit. These things are the way to keep our relationship correct with God. Then we will be spiritually alert to help others.

A Christian’s life is the window through which others can see Jesus.

Our Daily Bread – December 7, 2017