Mothers and grandmothers love to talk about the growth of their children. The first word, step, walk, etc. are all newsworthy. We should be as conscious noting and encouraging spiritual growth.
One role of family is to encourage spiritual development. Timothy’s mother and grandmother were living examples of faith (2 Timothy 1:5). They taught him the scriptures as a child and he learned about salvation in Christ (2 Timothy 3:14-15). He grew up to be a man worthy of the recommendation of the church (Acts 16:1-2).
Each family member should have a growing faith. Timothy was left in Ephesus to help build up the members of God’s family. Paul also urged him to fight the good fight for the faith (1 Timothy 1:3-5, 18-19). This growth could only be fully realized if he was “nourished in the words of faith and of good doctrine.” He directed his son in the faith to exercise himself in godlike living (1 Timothy 4:6-8).
A growing faith is only valuable if one remains faithful. Timothy was urged to devote himself to being an example of a believer in Christ. Paul instructed him to, “Take heed to yourself and to the doctrine. Continue in them, for in doing this you will save both yourself and those who hear you” (1 Timothy 4:12-13, 16). Paul had shown and taught him the way of truth. Now, he directed the young preacher to commit that truth to other faithful individuals who would pass it on (2 Timothy 2:2).
Growing in faith and remaining faithful will cause one to be prepared for the future. Lasting wealth can only be found in eternity (1 Timothy 6:17-19). Those who stay the course are assured of receiving a crown of righteousness (2 Timothy 4:6-8).
Gary C. Hampton