Treasures in Earthen Vessels

We have this treasure in earthen vessels, to show that this power is from God and not from us.

This power. This power is from God and not from us. This power is a treasure. A treasure of God that exists in this dirty broken earthen vessel, a power that is not from us, but from God alone.

It is easy to worship the vessel, to think that the power belongs to the individual vessel it resides in. But power and glory belong only to God. Anything we do for the good of the kingdom is because of the power of God in us. It is because he has empowered us to do the work he has planned for us.

So why worship the vessel that holds the power, when you can worship the giver of the power. Perhaps the vessel is easier to see than the power source? But the problem with worshiping the vessel is that it will eventually disappoint us. Even the most full vessels cannot fill us up to the brim without emptying themselves. And what if their cup is smaller than ours? Then we end up half full and they end up empty. That is not a good outcome for either of us. So why not worship the ultimate cup filler? Worship the one whose supply never runs dry, and the one who will fill our cups with infinitely more than we have asked or imagined. That's our treasure, his power dwelling inside of us, creating a future beyond our wildest dreams, if we choose to trust and obey.