Timothy, Guard What Has Been Entrusted to You

This meditation is based on a passage for February 19, 2011 in the Daily Lectionary Year 1 from the Book of Common Worship for the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) (1993).

Text: Deuteronomy 13:1-11

Reflection and Question: Paul ends his letter of advice to Timothy with the plea that he “guard what has been entrusted” to him. As we saw on Tuesday, Paul’s earnest teachings include truths that still hold, but also some that do not. In this passage, Paul supports the structure of slave and master, a distortion of power that is now unacceptable. At the same time, Paul’s warning that “the love of money is the root of all evil” continues to be true and important for our daily decisions as faithful Christians. Where are you fighting the good fight of the faith?

Prayer: Holy Spirit of our Brother Jesus, sustain us as we guard that which has been entrusted to us. Give us the knowledge we need to distinguish between godliness and that which creates wrangling and dissension. Give us Your grace, we pray. Amen.