“For God did not give us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” — 2 Timothy 1:7
A Family Heirloom with a Story
In my family, one of the most unusual heirlooms isn’t a piece of jewelry or a recipe card — it’s a disarmed German MG 42 machine gun.
Yes, you read that right.
When I was little, this heavy, cement-filled machine gun stood quietly in the corner of my grandparents’ bedroom — just across from my grandmother’s French Provincial vanity and keepsake music box. As a child, I never questioned why such a thing would be there. It was just part of the backdrop of my family’s story.
Years later, I learned how it came to be there. During World War II, my grandfather — a Jewish American infantry officer — sent it home from North Africa after his unit neutralized a machine gun nest that nearly cost him his life. He sent it as a trophy to his father, my great-grandfather John, a Jewish German immigrant.
When federal agents came to confiscate it, my young grandmother — barely in her twenties, a mother of two — refused to hand it over. She stood her ground, insisting they could disarm it but not take it. So down the streets of Shinglehouse, Pennsylvania, she marched between two suited FBI agents, carrying that weapon herself to make sure it would return safely to her family.
That gun, once an instrument of war, became a symbol of perseverance, courage, and identity. It now sits in my home as a reminder of who my people are — and of the values that were handed down through generations.
Faith as an Heirloom
In Paul’s second letter to Timothy, we hear another story of inheritance — not of weapons or relics, but of faith.
Paul writes,
“I am reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice and now, I am sure, lives in you.”
Like my family’s heirloom, Timothy’s faith carried the story of his people — a faith that was nurtured in his family and shaped by those who came before him. Paul calls that faith a “good treasure” and urges Timothy to guard it, to rekindle it, and to live unashamed of it, even in difficult times.
Faith, like any heirloom, isn’t just something we keep on a shelf. It’s something to be held, tended, and shared. It’s a gift that requires care — to be polished, practiced, and passed on.
Rekindling What’s Been Entrusted
Paul reminds Timothy that the faith we’ve been given sometimes flickers and fades. Life can test our courage. Challenges can cool our passion. But the Spirit within us is not one of fear or hesitation. It’s a Spirit of power, love, and a sound mind.
We all have moments when we need to rekindle the flame — to return to prayer, worship, or service, and find again that holy spark that reminds us who we are in Christ.
The world around us can be frightening. We see headlines full of violence, hatred, and division. Yet even in the face of darkness, Paul’s words still ring true: God has not given us a spirit of fear.
We are called to be voices of love, courage, and reason — to bring Christ’s presence into a world that desperately needs it.
Guarding and Sharing the Treasure
Recently, I had the privilege of speaking at a high school Career Day about what it means to be a pastor. As I looked into the faces of young people preparing to step into the world, I realized how important it is to share this faith treasure — not to hide it away as something old or fragile, but to live it boldly.
Later that week, during a wedding at our church, I watched as generations of family and faith gathered in one sacred space — grandparents, parents, pastors, and friends, each having played a role in shaping the faith of the couple standing before us. Their stories, like Timothy’s, and like mine, are all part of the same inheritance of grace.
Our church, too, holds this legacy. The prayers prayed in our pews, the hymns sung across generations, the acts of kindness offered quietly in our community — all of these are ways we have “guarded the good treasure” together. Even when those who receive it may never know our names, the faith we have tended continues to live on.
A Call to Courageous Faith
Paul’s message to Timothy still calls to us today:
Guard the treasure. Rekindle the flame. Share the story.
The good treasure of faith was never meant to stay locked away. It was meant to be lived — with courage, compassion, and conviction. So, as you go into this week, may you remember that you, too, carry a sacred inheritance — not of fear, but of power, love, and a sound mind.
And may you guard that treasure well, passing it on with joy to those who come after you.
Reflection Questions (Optional for Blog Readers)
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Who passed the “faith treasure” to you, and how did they shape your walk with God?
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How might you rekindle your faith in this season of life?
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What’s one way you can share your faith story with someone this week?