Paul the apostle wrote to Timothy and gave three different analogies for those serving the Lord.
The three analogies are: a soldier, an athlete, and a farmer.
2 Timothy 2:4 No soldier gets entangled in civilian pursuits since his aim is to please the one who enlisted him.
2 Timothy 2:5 An athlete is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules.
2 Timothy 2:6 It is the hard-working farmer who ought to have the first share of the crops. (ESV)
Here are a few simple thoughts about these three analogies.
A soldier enlists, commits, and focuses. Serving the Lord is a commitment and it pleases Him for us to stay focused on the task.
An athlete plays by the rules. God’s Word gives us the beliefs, motives, and values that we serve Him with.
All farmers expect a harvest and partake of their harvest. We each should expect to be blessed as we serve.
Meditate on these things and allow the Lord to show you how to apply them to your life.
Every blessing to each of you,
Tony