1 Timothy 6:20-21. O Timothy, guard the deposit entrusted to you. Avoid the irreverent babble and contradictions of what is falsely called "knowledge," 21 for by professing it some have swerved from the faith. Grace be with you.

How do you finish a letter? Perhaps you have written to your sweetheart and ended with a sentence about how much you love her/him. Perhaps you have written to a friend and ended your letter with a sincere sentiment of desire for their well-being. Perhaps you have written a formal letter to a business associate or company representative with gratitude for them taking the time to consider your request. Paul ends his letter to Timothy with a serious call to action for the safe-keeping of the most precious gift we could ever have in this world – The Faith.

The most likely explanation of the deposit entrusted to Timothy is found in the multiple times in his letter that Paul has used the term, The Faith. When we see this term in the Scriptures it seems to be considered as everything that points to, is witness to, explains, and describes the gospel and the doctrines and life that come from it. Timothy is to be a minister of The Faith in Ephesus. Once we understand the central importance of Christ and his gospel and all that surrounds it and is essential to it, we get a sense of the precious gift it truly is. The central element of The Faith is Christ himself and his death and resurrection for the forgiveness of our sins and reconciliation with God. It is the one true saving faith. There is nothing else of higher importance or consequence in this world. All of this points to the immense value of what Timothy is charged to guard as a minister of the gospel. It is of priceless value.

It’s one thing to describe The Faith as priceless and entirely another to understand and live out The Faith in consistency to its value. To help us all, perhaps a few questions will help you to meditate on it further.

• How does it carry weight?
• Does it take ruling precedence in your life?
• Is it your benchmark for what is truly priceless?
• Does it overrule your desires and ambitions and beliefs and philosophies?
• Is it greater than anything else in this world or anyone else in this world?
• Are you willing to deny self for it?
• Are you willing to lose friends for it?
• Are you willing to be persecuted for it?