Guarding the Deposit

By Dean Collins

I remember as a kid being fascinated with the armored trucks that would pick up the deposits from the grocery stores and drive them to the bank. The trucks’ gun ports on the side where a rifle could poke out provided an added layer of protection. Using armed guards in armed vehicles was the safest way to guard the deposit of cash the retail store had accumulated that day.

Another way businesses guard their deposits is by having levels of internal control when it comes to managing the checks and cash that need to be processed. While technology is changing the amount of cash that actually comes to a business or organization and how it is deposited safely, there are still many ways that we try to guard the deposit to make sure it arrives safely in the bank.

In 2 Timothy, Paul told Timothy that he was to guard the good deposit entrusted to him. We often think about good deposits meaning something financial. Maybe a bigger paycheck or a return on investment brought about a surplus in your bank account. But Paul told Timothy, “By the Holy Spirit who dwells within us, guard the good deposit entrusted to you.” So what is this good deposit? And do we have one to guard as well?

Reading the entire first chapter gives us a clear indication that the gospel of Jesus is the good deposit that was handed down to Timothy. Paul had earlier in this passage indicated that Timothy was not to be ashamed of the testimony about the Lord. Why might he be ashamed? Possibly because his mentor was now in prison because of his belief and conviction about the gospel. Typically, if you are in prison, you have done something wrong and are being punished for your wrongdoing, which would be a reason for embarrassment or shame. 

As Timothy was given some responsibility for advancing the gospel and leading the church at Ephesus, there were several teachers and leaders who thought they had a better understanding of God and of scripture but had actually twisted the scriptures to say something that was not true. There were many who were false teachers that Timothy would have to deal with as a leader. Timothy would have to guard against those who shared a different gospel than he had learned from Paul. 

Things are no different 2.000 years later. There are still false teachers who try to make the gospel about many different things. Some suggest we work our way to salvation. Some say there are many ways to have a relationship with God other than through Jesus. Some suggest certain political positions or ideologies are connected to or a part of the gospel. Paul warned Timothy and scripture warns us to not be confused about the gospel of Jesus.

We protect the gospel by passing it on to another. We entrust this powerful work of God that comes by faith to others. We guard the gospel through the stewardship of our discipleship. As we daily surrender to Jesus. the Holy Spirit reminds us and strengthens us in our belief in him. 

Paul instructed Timothy to follow the pattern of the sound words that he had heard from Paul. We, too, have lots of teaching from the apostle Paul in his New Testament epistles, and we have the model of his life, including that suffering is a part of the Christian experience. When we teach others about Jesus, we must be honest about who he is and that following Jesus is nothing to take lightly. Good discipleship includes sharing how God goes with us even on our darkest days.

Father, thank you for gospel. Thank you for the gift of your son Jesus who changes everything for us and for the world. Thank you for the gift of the Holy Spirit who guides us so that we do not give into the patterns of this world and the false messages that bombard us daily. Today, give us courage to guard the good deposit that has been entrusted to us as we share the love of Jesus with others. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Your Time with God’s Word
2 Timothy 1:8-14 ESV

Photo by Seb Creativo on Unsplash
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