«Let as many bondservants as are under the yoke count their own masters worthy of all honor, so that the name of God and His doctrine may not be blasphemed» (l Timothy 6: l).
IN THE LAST CHAPTER of 1 Timothy, Paul writes to the workers, the wicked, the wise and the rich, the church, and the community.
The apostle tells workers to be faithful so that the name of God will not be slandered (v. 2, NW). He admonishes the wicked because they deny the faith, are proud and greedy, and cause confusion (vv. 3-5). As to the wise, they are godly and content (vv. 6-8). He warns the rich that the love of money is the root of all evils (vv. 9, 10).
Paul tells Timothy to flee from evil and pursue good, fight the good fight of faith, fulfill his ministry faithfully, and reject vain philosophies (w. 11—14). This is only possible if we do it for God and with God’s help, because only He is omnipotent, King, Lord, invisible, and immortal (w. 15, 16).
For many years the church organization prayed and dreamed of having a sanctuary in the center of the Argentine capital. Costs were very high and resources very scarce. But nothing is impossible for God. Thus, a four-story building was purchased, which was exceptionally located a hundred feet from a famous central avenue and less than half a mile from the emblematic obelisk in Buenos Aires.
The Conference board members and I went to inspect the building and make a decision. The lights were out that day in the building; it was dark and lit by candles. We walked inside the main room on the ground floor. To our surprise, demonic drawings adorned the walls. In the bathroom area, the place reserved for ladies said, «Female Satan» and the place reserved for men said «Satan.» On the floor, we found flyers advertising a dance club called «Satanasa.»
Would we buy the property? We went out to ask the neighbors what image they had of the place. Everyone said that it seemed to have been an amusement center for young people, but it had never worked out.
We prayed and decided to buy the place. The enemy wanted to have that property, but the Lord acquired it and placed His bloodstained flag there. Where Satan wanted to destroy lives, today there is a sign that says: «A place to find hope,» fulfilling the divine purpose of seeking and saving.
The same battle is fought by all: employers and employees, poor and rich, wise and wicked. We are God’s property because we were created, redeemed, and will soon be glorified.
May your life be a temple where the bloodstained flag waves, indicating that this is a place where hope may be found.
