Keep or Share?

There are some things of which, when possessed, one is faced with the decision whether to keep for themselves or to share with others. To share would seem to naturally take away from the supply possessed. Therefore, to diminish what one has is given careful consideration; how much to keep and how much to share. But is there anything we can both keep and share without diminishing our own supply? There may be a number of things, one of which being love. We can love others without ever diminishing the love we have. Let us consider another specific thing for which this is true.

Someone has said, “Don’t keep the faith baby -- share it.” [source: bulletin clipping]

I understand the intent of the statement. Our FAITH is not something to be kept to ourselves. However, there is a sense in which FAITH is to be both kept and shared and it can be done without diminishing our supply. In fact, through the sharing of our FAITH it seems our own continues to grow.

Regarding Philemon, Paul stated…
“(4) I thank my God always when I remember you in my prayers, (5) because I hear of your love and of the faith that you have toward the Lord Jesus and all the saints, (6) and I pray that the SHARING OF YOUR FAITH MAY BECOME EFFECTIVE for the full knowledge of every good thing that is in us for the sake of Christ.” ( Philemon 4-6 ESV)

And to the church at Colossae Paul wrote…
“(21) And you, who once were alienated and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds, (22) he has now reconciled in his body of flesh by his death, in order to present you holy and blameless and above reproach before him, (23) IF INDEED YOU CONTINUE IN THE FAITH, stable and steadfast, not shifting from the hope of the gospel that you heard, which has been proclaimed in all creation under heaven, and of which I, Paul, became a minister.” ( Colossians 1:21-23 ESV)

May we “keep the FAITH” and continue “sharing our FAITH” as well. Let us seek to grow in a FAITH that is effective for both sustaining our lives and impacting those with whom it is shared. Just like love, such FAITH will provide great blessing to both the possessor and receiver.

Have a great day GROWING IN EFFECTIVE FAITH!
Carl

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