II Corinthians 4: 1Therefore seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not; 2But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God. 5For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus’ sake. 6For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. 7But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us. 13We having the same spirit of faith, according as it is written, I believed, and therefore have I spoken; we also believe, and therefore speak.
Paul was embracing the Corinthian church as well as he was his fellow ministers. To preach means to proclaim. There are different offices in a church, but there is one thing we all have in common. We are all to proclaim the good news. We have a treasure! This is not talking about material things. Too often people stake their riches in what is monetary and/or temporal. These things fade away. They can be drained. This treasure that Paul speaks of comes from God, and it’s within us—our earthen vessel.
Paul is reminding us to take a look at what we have. If you had to live for the next month on the cash you have in your wallet right now, many of you couldn’t. You probably have more credit cards than actual cash. Even if you could, cash loses its value. Wall Street could crash leaving your paper money worth nothing more than paper. It would be useless. This treasure Paul talked about is irreplaceable. When we think about this gift, we have to conclude that it is a treasure we’re not worthy of and we should never regard it as anything less than a treasure. Don’t say it’s one of the greatest blessings you have. It is the greatest! This treasure came in an earthen vessel of a Bethlehem child. He was taken all the way to the cross. If we had nothing in this life, we’d still be rich because this treasure is so precious and priceless.
I used to know a man who buried his money in glass jars in his yard. He lived in an old shack in the woods. When he died, some of the old money that was dug up was worth more as a collector’s item than its face value. He kept it hidden and left it behind. Remember we’re earthen vessels holding a treasure. As Jesus has given us this treasure, we are to share it with those who are poor spiritually. We don’t lose a thing when we share Jesus. When we let our light shine, when we open the lid to our vessel, we gain. The Bible says faith comes by hearing the Word of God. Someone has to tell it. That’s what we do when we share our treasure.
Verse 1 tells us not to give up. “Faint not.” Don’t keep it to yourself. If you’re a witness long enough, you may just see others accept the Lord because of it. Plant the seed. In this life you may never know the thanks of others because they’ve seen and heard your witness.
We have something to share. If you’re saved, you have a treasure in your earthen vessel. Under no circumstances put a cover on it and keep it to yourself. Look at your vessel. Is it covered? Uncover it. Take another look at your treasure. See how rich you are. Paul says as we have received, let us speak and let it out.
Are you willing to share?
Adwolfe Freewill Baptist Church 