“I thank God, … longing to see you, even as I recall your tears, so that I may be filled with joy” (2 Tim 1:3a, 4).

According to legend, Alexander the Great was buried with an empty hand sticking out of his coffin. It was the emperor’s way of saying that, though he had conquered the entire world, he couldn’t bring of his treasures with him. Paul’s death, in my opinion, was markedly different. Paul didn’t live to conquer land. He lived to impart God’s life, and his own, to others (2 Tim 1:3). Paul treasured people, and so he did not die empty handed. Because Paul invested so much of his time on this beloved disciple (2 Tim 1:2), Timothy also finished his race too, with Paul (most likely) waiting to greet him at the finish-line. So unlike Alexander the Great, Paul died with very full hands, since he did bring his most valued treasures with him to heaven. Dear friends, let us invest our time and resources in treasures we can enjoy for all eternity!

“The things which you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, entrust these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also” (2 Tim 2:2).