Terry Storch

Writing about life, leadership, faith, and anything else I find interesting.

2 Timothy 2 - A Compounding Life

 

2 Timothy 2 - A Compounding Life

If you had a choice between 1 million dollars, tax-free and in your checking account today, or a single penny and doubled it every day for 30 days, what would you pick? 1 million dollars today in my accounts sounds great; it’s instant, it seems effortless and quick. But if you choose that route, you would have missed the opportunity to have $5,368,709.12. 

This example of the power of time, the power of compounding double comes to mind with many of Paul's words in 2 Timothy 2 today. When we look for the quick, simple, easy way out, we often miss the real power, the blessing God desired for us. Now, I am not saying that blessing is 5.3 mil dollars, but I think you get my point.

“Timothy, my dear son, be strong through the grace that God gives you in Christ Jesus. You have heard me teach things that have been confirmed by many reliable witnesses. Now teach these truths to other trustworthy people who will be able to pass them on to others.” - ‭‭2 Timothy‬ ‭2:1-2‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Paul here is encouraging Timothy, telling him to be strong through the grace that God gives through Christ. Why do you think he is encouraging him, telling him to be strong? Well, I believe its the same reason we need this encouragement regularly...because its easy to get down, it’s easy just to throw up our hands and say forget it, I will take the quick payout, forget the 30 days, forget the plan this is too hard. 

Next, Paul points to his witness, his modeling. This is critical for us as followers of Christ to recognize it is less about our words and more about our daily actions that set the example and model. Parents, wow, this rings so true to me. Words matter, but when my life and my actions do not model the words I am saying, then what message are we bringing? As Christ-followers, we just might be the only Bible or Jesus that our neighbors will ever see or read. Our actions, not just our words, are critical. 

And finally, the compounding effect...the 8th wonder of the world, according to Albert Einstein. Now teach these truths to other trustworthy people who will be able to pass them on to others. The true wealth, the real fruit, is seeing the gospel spread through the nations. The power of compounding is lived out in the spread of the gospel, and this is our call, this is a critical part of our mission to spread the gospel. If you ever wondered what discipleship looks like, here it is. A penny a day doubled. Then doubled, then doubled. Making disciples across the land, and the name of Jesus and his gospel spread across the globe. 

As we process this and bring this into our everyday lives, I think it’s essential to see the next few verses Paul shared with Timothy. These few verses are a perfect “how-to” maybe the keys to success we need to have this life of discipleship. 

“Endure suffering along with me, as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. Soldiers don’t get tied up in the affairs of civilian life, for then they cannot please the officer who enlisted them. And athletes cannot win the prize unless they follow the rules. And hardworking farmers should be the first to enjoy the fruit of their labor. Think about what I am saying. The Lord will help you understand all these things.” - ‭‭2 Timothy‬ ‭2:3-7‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Our closing is focused on a Soldier, Athlete, and Farmer. And as Paul said, I pray that The Lord will help you understand all these things. Here are our 3 areas of focus to stay on mission, and live a life directed towards discipleship.

1 - Stay focused, keep your priorities straight, and limit distractions. 

“Soldiers don’t get tied up in the affairs of civilian life, for then they cannot please the officer who enlisted them.” - ‭‭2 Timothy‬ ‭2:4‬ ‭NLT‬‬

2 - Live with integrity. 

“And athletes cannot win the prize unless they follow the rules.” - ‭‭2 Timothy‬ ‭2:5‬ ‭NLT‬‬

3 - Invest in yourself.

“And hardworking farmers should be the first to enjoy the fruit of their labor.” - ‭‭2 Timothy‬ ‭2:6‬ ‭NLT‬‬

3 powerful takeaways to help us live a life of discipleship. How are you with these 3 directives from Paul? My prayer for you and me is that The Lord will help us understand all these things. I pray that the Holy Spirit reveals an area to focus on, and grow in so the Gospel can expand, that people near and far can come to know the Lord. 

other writing
John 20 - The Gospel

John 20 - The Gospel

The Gospel, the Good News! Jesus, Son of God, was born of Mary, lived as the Son of Man, died, and rose to life to rescue the world and bring about a new life. The central message of the gospel. Jesus, the centerpiece! John 19 & 20 cover the brutal death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus.

In this scene, I can not imagine how the disciples felt. John describes them as overjoyed...but those words just fall short of what I can imagine this moment was like.

John 19 - The Magnitude of the Cross

John 19 - The Magnitude of the Cross

The day of Jesus' crucifixion fulfilled 28 Old Testament prophecies. Scripture was fulfilled! Beyond that, trying to wrap my mind around what happened this day, on the cross, and fully grabbing the magnitude of the cross is mind-boggling.

Sure, we can dumb this down or simplify it to a place where I just don’t believe it is anywhere near accurate. We can get into penal substitution and argue over was God full of love or was God full of wrath and hate that he killed his son. To me, John 3:16 is pretty clear on the love part.

John 18 - Jesus levels an army

John 18 - Jesus levels an army

In John 18, we come to the great betrayal. Judas came with the soldiers, officials, and chief priest and Pharisees. We know the scene. But this morning, I saw something I don’t remember reading and surly don’t remember learning about.

“So Judas came to the garden, guiding a detachment of soldiers and some officials from the chief priests and the Pharisees. They were carrying torches, lanterns and weapons. Jesus, knowing all that was going to happen to him, went out and asked them, “Who is it you want?” “Jesus of Nazareth,” they replied. “I am he,” Jesus said. (And Judas the traitor was standing there with them.) When Jesus said, “I am he,” they drew back and fell to the ground.” - ‭‭John‬ ‭18:3-6‬ ‭NIV‬‬

John 17 - The Lords Prayer

John 17 - The Lords Prayer

John 17 is Jesus looking heavenward and praying to God the Father. So much beauty and mystery in this prayer. One thing that jumps out to me is that Jesus, fully God, and fully man prayed. Jesus is God fully. Why did he need to pray, He was One with the Father, He was God...and yet he prayed. This is so powerful;

“And now, Father, glorify me in your presence with the glory I had with you before the world began.” - ‭‭John‬ ‭17:5‬ ‭NIV‬‬

John 16 - What does it take to believe?

John 16 - What does it take to believe?

By the end of John 16, Jesus had done countless miracles, preached some amazing sermons, transformed so many lives, and developed a close and personal relationship with his disciples. So, when reading these verses, I am just utterly confused on so many levels.

“I came from the Father and entered the world; now I am leaving the world and going back to the Father.” Then Jesus’ disciples said, “Now you are speaking clearly and without figures of speech. Now we can see that you know all things and that you do not even need to have anyone ask you questions. This makes us believe that you came from God.” “Do you now believe?” Jesus replied.” - ‭‭John‬ ‭16:28-31‬ ‭NIV‬‬

John 16 - Undervaluing God in Spirit

John 16 - Undervaluing God in Spirit

Jesus’ time on earth is quickly coming to a close, and he finishes up his last sermon or teaching to his disciples as they walk to Gethsemane. This final teaching was a heavy one that no doubt left his disciples with a heavy heart. Jesus said it this way;

“...None of you asks me, ‘Where are you going?’ Rather, you are filled with grief because I have said these things.” - ‭‭John‬ ‭16:5-6‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Jesus goes on to say;

John 15 - Constant Growth

John 15 - Constant Growth

We were built for growth, constant growth. From birth, all the way until our death, we were designed by God for constant growth. The problem is, we often can find ourselves stuck in a belief, a phase, or a part of life where we stop growing.

One of the most brilliant investors embodies this understanding. Charlie Munger, at 96 years old, is still learning and growing as a person. I love this quote:

“Knowing what you don’t know is more useful than being brilliant.”
- Charlie Munger

John 14 - The Gift of Peace

John 14 - The Gift of Peace

John 14 opens with Jesus, saying, Don’t let your hearts be troubled. And the chapter closed down with Jesus saying Don’t be troubled or afraid.

A message that needs to resonate with our spirit and our inner self. This was such a good reminder, reading through John 14 over and over. This passage lifted off the screen.

“But when the Father sends the Advocate as my representative—that is, the Holy Spirit—he will teach you everything and will remind you of everything I have told you. “I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart…

John 14 - Troubled Hearts

John 14 - Troubled Hearts

The world today seems so volatile and chaotic. Everywhere you look, whatever we read and see on TV just seems to be troubling. Last night, I noticed my lovely wife Tweeted this;

“I can’t be the only one who watches the news and is simply embarrassed right now, right? (Dear Jesus, we tap out. Come on back.)”

I find this first humorous, but then I also find it sad. It’s true, watching the news as a Christ-follower is pretty embarrassing. In John 14, we see Jesus…

John 13 - Unselfish Concern

John 13 - Unselfish Concern

Summarizing John, chapter 13, looks like this. The Lords Supper takes place. Jesus washes the disciple's feet. Jesus calls out Judas, and Satan enters him. Night comes, Judas leaves, and Jesus says he must go, and where I am going, you can not come. To cap it all off, Jesus also calls out Simon Peter and tells him that he will deny and completely disown Jesus three times. Whoa, a really full chapter, and historical day.

Nestled in the wrap up of the day is the parting message Jesus leaves his disciples, a message Jesus is sharing with us right now.

 
thoughtsTerry Storch