True Riches

Paul in defense of his calling and apostleship continues in Galatians:


Galatians 2:7 (ESV) On the contrary, when they saw that I had been entrusted with the gospel to the uncircumcised, just as Peter had been entrusted with the gospel to the circumcised

The word that stuck out to me was this: "entrusted."  Everything about the Gospel is entrusted.  It is serious business.  God doesn't just hand this out lightly.  It is a high calling to hold to and teach and defend the Gospel of Jesus Christ. 

The reason is many people are out to twist the Gospel.

Some for financial gain.

Some for personal recognition.

Some for sinful living.

Some to abuse others.

Some to control and manipulate.

This is why Paul calls a curse down on anyone who distorts the Gospel.  If anyone adds to justification by faith alone, let them be "anathema!"

In this chapter we find the verse that set Martin Luther on fire:

Galatians 2:16 (ESV) yet we know that a person is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, so we also have believed in Christ Jesus, in order to be justified by faith in Christ and not by works of the law, because by works of the law no one will be justified.

It was lost in the church's abuses and power structure, but found again my Luther to bring many people to God that would have been lost by the establishment.

It is a trust of God that any preacher has.  It is true riches from heaven.

Jesus said it like this (using the same word "entrust) in Luke 16.

Luke 16:11 (ESV) If then you have not been faithful in the unrighteous wealth, who will entrust to you the true riches?

We worry about handling money rightly.  But God says money is a test.  If you cannot be faithful in money, who is going to put under your leadership.  I've seen this happen.  People with so many gifts not grounded and drifting through life.  Why?  They haven't passed the test of unrighteous wealth, so why would they succeed in leading others to faith in Christ?  

Prove faithful in your trust.  Never take it lightly.  God believes in you.

PRAYER:

Father, help me remember, I'm entrusted with something far more important than I realize.  Help me always to keep the Gospel clean and pure and simple.  Help me lead many people personally and professionally to Christ.  Thank you for trusting me.