Potty Pot Christianity: 2 Timothy 2:20-21
“20) Now in a large house there are not only gold and silver vessels, but also vessels of wood and of earthenware, and some to honor and some to dishonor. 21) Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from these things, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified, useful to the Master, prepared for every good work.” 2 Timothy 2:20-21
I vividly remember sitting in class at Bible college when the professor unpacked the meaning of these two verses. He said; “Vessels of honor were used for decorations such as golden candlestick holders or fine table settings for honored guests.” It evoked pleasant thoughts. But then he said; “Vessels of dishonor were the clay pots used as potty pots during the night.”
I still remember wincing in my chair. As a child, I had stayed overnight with a friend who did not have indoor plumbing. Instead of making the trek to the outhouse on cold winter nights, they had a potty pot in a small hallway room. It had a lid to contain the putrid odor as it slowly filled each night. Someone got the job of dumping and rinsing it each morning.
Several years latter, the room boasted an actual sink and toilet when indoor plumbing was installed in the house. But in that family, the toilet was still referred to as the “potty pot.”
Paul was telling Timothy that he had a choice to make in his Christian life. He could either sincerely seek God, live a sanctified life in the Spirit and be useful to the Master for honorable use; or he could be a worldly, carnal and putrid “potty pot Christian.”
1 Corinthians 3:10-15 gives a similar analogy with building materials. You can build your Christan life with gold, silver and precious stones, or you can build with wood, hay and straw. But the trials of life will test the quality of your building material.
Every Christian shares Jesus Christ as the same foundation. Some build a glorious mansions while others build an outhouse Christian life.
The bottom line is that you and I decide what kind of life we build. We can build a mansion or an outhouse. We can be a golden lamp stand or a potty pot. We can be sold out for God or we can sell out and live for self and embrace worldly values.
Daily Bible Commentary By Terry Baxter: Cofounder of GoServ Global
