The treasure of God in our clay pots

Pastor Rudy Verdin

Apostolic Assembly

In II Corinthians, Apostle Paul compared men to earthen vessels. He implied that, just as a vessel, we are something fragile, inferior, expendable, ordinary, easily chipped, cracked and broken and temporary. One single tap to an earthen vessel is enough to destroy it, just as one bump can crush us.

In II Corinthians, 4:6-9, it states that God has placed His treasure in earthen vessels so “that the exceeding greatness of the power may be of God, and not from ourselves.”

Paul said, “Seeing it is God, that said, Light shall shine out of darkness, who shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ (II Corinthians 4:6).”

Paul demonstrated the extreme contrast between God’s treasure and the vessel He has placed it in. We, as the earthen vessels, have no value. The only thing that is of value is what has been placed inside the vessel.

Some may ask, “Why did God put His treasure in us?”

The answer is this: God wanted to show that His treasure had nothing to do with what he placed it in; this all-surpassing power comes from God, not from us. This is why I Corinthians states not many wise, mighty or noble are called. Instead, God chooses the foolish and weak so that he can shame the wise and strong (I Corinthians 1:26-29). He wanted to use that which was despised so “that no flesh should glory before God.”

The message that we preach – the message of salvation that comes from God – is our treasure. We have nothing to do with it; we are just the cracked pots that hold His message. Paul also understood that the only thing that keeps these fragile pots together is the treasure that is inside. When battered and beaten, the pot stays intact, but not because its own doing. The ability comes from God’s sustaining power.

The treasure of the gospel does not give us immunity from illness, torment or other human afflictions, but it will sustain us through these hard times.

This is why we are stressed, but not stressed out. We are persecuted, but not forsaken. “We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; pursued, yet not forsaken; smitten down, yet not destroyed. (II Corinthians 4:8-9).”

Paul knows that God does not abandon his own. Every blow that comes from life may cause cracks and fractures to the vessel, but God’s light shines through and keeps the vessel intact. It is through those cracks that the power of God is visible to the outside.

This is why Paul said he took pleasure in infirmities, “in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong (II Corinthians 12:10).” He knew that God’s power would shine through him, and that His life was a perfect medium for God to show his power.

As we struggle, suffer and go through the trials of life, remember that this is the time that God’s power, which he has placed in our broken vessels, can shine through into a dark world, while holding us together.

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