Christ Jesus did the counting. He empowered Paul, He led him to be faithful, and He put him into the ministry. The good news was entrusted to him. Paul realizes to whom the credit belongs. He didn't arrive there on his own.

This is worth being thankful for- that God can do this for sinners. He can do this in people who have no good in them: like me. Thanks be to our Lord Jesus Christ for doing this same miracle of empowering us.

These are supernatural powers! It's like the superhero who has power to save someone from the big ugly monster. We have been empowered to save people who are falling into the flames of Hell, and deliver them to a safe place where they can live happily ever after!

Paul is so glad that the gospel has been entrusted to him. He doesn't look at it as a chore. He's thankful that God would take someone like him, and give him the wonderful privilege of sharing the good news. You would think he was just entrusted with a million dollars. It's like he just won the lottery.

Do we look at it that way? Do we say excitedly, I can't believe God would let me have the awesome privilege of sharing the good news with others!!! If we're saved, God wants to do this same miracle in all of us. This is the perspective we all should have. It's only reasonable, when we think about it. We're glad God saved us from death. Why wouldn't we want the same for others? It is tremendous that God can save us, and give us everything we need so that others can be saved. Let's believe God for a miracle that we too to be faithful ministers of the good news of the glory of God! Oh God, thank you for wanting to help me. I need lots of help with this.

If we don't get excited, and consider it a privilege, we won't have near as good of results. If we aren't excited, we will be giving people a dry bone instead of a steak. It's common knowledge in sales that excitement is tremendously important. No matter how much knowledge you have, you still need excitement. Ex: fiber supplement. It can be really good stuff that detoxifies, helps prevent cancer, lowers blood sugar for diabetics, etc. Or it can be expensive stuff that tastes terrible. Some people will pay good money for it, and some people wouldn't take it if you gave it to them for free. If we're selling something that's not very pleasant and costs too much, it won't sell too good. This is tricky example, because we do have to sell Lordship- giving up everything to point of death. But we do it because we know it's worth it. People won't trust God unless they believe He's a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him. And wow, what a great rewarder He is!

Most sales organizations have a few sales leaders who are so excited that they draw people like magnets. People believe the person has something special. And they believe that if they become involved, they too will experience something special. That's what Paul was. He was sold out for the gospel like that.

Growing up Catholic, I remember looking at the pictures of saints and thinking how sad they looked. I remember thinking I didn't want to be all bummed out like them. But that's the wrong picture of what a relationship with the living God is like. He cares for us!

The bottom line of 11 and 12 is that we've been entrusted with the gospel. We should be thankful and excited. If we're not, we need to repent, and give ourselves over to it. It's only fair. We should want others to have the same great gift we have.