A vessel ( think water pitcher) is designed and created for the purpose of containing something. A utensil (think fork or knife) is designed and created for the purpose of doing something.

And "those who cleanse themselves" become vessels (2 Timothy 2:21 NIV).

As Christ followers, there are plenty of things we're exhorted to do. Yet we are never referred to as ordinary utensils; rather, we are chosen instruments--vessels. Ergo, we are to contain more than do.

Of course, this begs the question, What are we supposed to contain? As obvious as the answer should be, it's just not. Throughout scripture we're told repeatedly that human beings are vessels designed and created for the purpose of containing ... God.

Sill, we tend to get hung up on utility. We have this proclivity for assessing people based solely on what they can do.

Take Matthew, for instance, and why he was chosen to be a disciple.

His ability to keep a ledger for the Romans while pilfering a pile of cash for himself demonstrated a keen proficiency in accounting. Check.

He was also literate, a bonus skill that would come in handy for future Gospel writing, Check

Personality-wise, Matthew wasn't shy about public appearances. Check.

He wasn't timid or apologetic about rendering his tax-collecting services. In face, that persistent workaholic attitude would prove especially useful when carrying out the Great Commission, Check, Check, Check.

All true. But no, that's human logic.

Jesus didn't see Matthew sitting at his collection booth and think, Oh perfect. I don't' have an aggressive numbers guy yet. He wasn't rounding out His team based on their resumes, core competencies, and Myers-Briggs results. In fact, their prior accomplishments were effectively useless, as evidenced by the five thousand folks served fish by the fishermen who had nothing to do with the catch.

Jesus didn't need ability. He required availability.

Matthew was not chosen based on what he could do. He was called because of what he was willing to give up, which was everything. He chose to take Jesus at His word: "Whoever finds their life will lose it, and whoever loses their life for my sake will find it" (Matthew 10:39 NIV)

And Matthew found it, He walked away from all the stuff, handed over the keys, and vacated the premises. He became a vessel of honor, sanctified, useful to the Master, and prepared for every good work, He was ready to go  and do, only because of what he contained.

Matthew was a vessel designed and created for the purpose of containing God. And he nailed it.

PRAYER FOCUS

Thank God He doesn't value for what you do, then ask Him to reveal things you can do for Him that don't necessarily require your natural skills.

MOVING FORWARD

• In what ways do you tend to focus more on what you can do than on the one whose Spirit you contain?
• Can you think of anyone you value more because of what they do than who they are in Christ?
• How can you make yourself more available?