Noble Purposes

In a large house there are articles not only of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay; some are for noble purposes and some for ignoble. If a man cleanses himself from the latter, he will be an instrument for noble purposes, made holy, useful to the Master and prepared to do any good work. 2 Timothy 2:20-21

Organ pipes, carved piano legs, a smooth inlaid tabletop, a Stradivarius violin, a Native American canoe. What do these objects have in common? Though made of wood, they serve ordinary purposes. They offer beauty as well as function because a master craftsman has carved and worked them. In a word, they serve nobly.

Until recently, I believed that these scripture verses about the various materials urged us as Christians to aspire to become like gold and silver articles, not as wood or clay, because they served somehow more nobly. I struggled with this, because no matter how hard I worked, others always seemed to possess greater gifts, receive higher honors, and seemingly provide greater usefulness. How could I ever hope to offer the Lord gold or silver when all I seemed to contribute looked more like wood?

Then it occurred to me to study the passage a little deeper. Does the Lord make everyone with gifts of gold or silver? Or, has he created some as wood or clay for different, but still noble purposes? Some gifts serve more practical purposes, more everyday uses; some sparkle as show pieces. But, God can use both for noble purposes, if we allow Him to cleanse and make us holy for any good work He chooses.

If you feel more like a piece of wood than gold or silver, take heart. The Master Carpenter waits to carve you into a beautiful object, useful to Him for His purposes. Take delight in the object He crafts of your life!