Nationality, social class, economic status, and educational background are some of the things regarded to measure the value of a person in today’s world. But Paul disregards any of these, and considers and appreciates the inheritance of faith that is kept alive through generations: “I remember the sincere faith you have, the kind of faith that your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice also had. I am sure that you have it also” (2 Tim 1:5). Lydia’s invitation to Paul to stay at her house is based on her claim of the faith she has in the Lord: “After she and the people of her house had been baptized, she invited us, ‘Come and stay in my house if you have decided that I am a true believer in the Lord.’ And she persuaded us to go” (Acts 16:15). Hence, for Paul, the scale for measuring a person’s value is the possession of faith: “Do not think of yourself more highly than you should. Instead, be modest in your thinking, and judge yourself according to the amount of faith that God has given you” (Rom 12:3). May we preserve the faith that is passed on from our parents, and make sure to hand it over to the younger generations.

Abba, thank You for blessing us with the greatest gift of faith. Let Your Spirit keep it alive by stirring that up every day, in Jesus’ Most Wonderful Name, Amen.