I love Styrofoam (sorry ‘green’ friends).
Styrofoam was invented in 1941, and the world has never been the same.
I love to order a 44oz drink in a Styrofoam cup first thing in the morning. I refill the cup all day long and carry it everywhere I go. When it comes to taking coffee on-the-go, Styrofoam is the standard: durable, insulating, and disposable. (the best Styrofoam coffee cups are under the golden arches).
The best thing about Styrofoam, in my opinion, is the fact that it is cheap and disposable –which is great for a single guy who doesn’t like to wash dishes!
Recently, my pastor pointed out the fact that in biblical days, the equivalent of Styrofoam cups would have been “jars of clay” because they were cheap and inexpensive.
So when Paul states in 2 Corinthians 4:7, “we have this treasure in jars of clay,” to refer to our human bodies, he could have said, “cups of Styrofoam!”
You see, what makes Styrofoam so valuable is not the Styrofoam itself (did I mention its composed of 98% air?) Just like clay, the material is inconsequential. What gives jars of clay and cups of Styrofoam value are 1) the content they hold, and 2) the function they perform.
It’s rare that someone says, “hey, may I PLEEEEEASE hold your Styrofoam cup? I just love the way it feels in my hand?” No, instead people say, “May I have a sip of your tea?”
Paul says the contents of our jars of clay/Styrofoam cups (human body) is “this treasure.” What treasure? The preceding six verses give the answer –the treasure we hold in our jars of clay is the glorious light of the gospel of Jesus Christ! Suddenly, this old jar of clay/Styrofoam cup has increased in value due to the treasure it holds.
Then, Paul goes on to point out the function our jars of clay perform –“To show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us.”
Like the angels (1 Peter 1:12), when people see the contrast between the treasure inside of us and the Styrofoam nature of our human existence on earth, it is evident that all glory and honor belongs to God. The glory certainly couldn’t belong to a cup composed of 98% air (or a body composed of dust).
The danger is when we become dissatisfied with our role as a jar of clay/Styrofoam cup. Sometimes we want to be in a more glorious position. That’s when pride sets in.
Instead of being a servant, we want to be a ruler. Instead of loving the unlovable, we want to become the enviable. Instead of exalting Christ, we want to be exalted.
If you are like me, I get frustrated with my styrofoam nature. I am weak and disposable. But, in light of the momentary afflictions of this world, why would I want to be a permanent fixture? In the context of a fallen world, being a temporary vessel is by far the most desirable of existences!
That’s when we need to remember that the greatest honor on earth is to be entrusted with the glorious gospel of Jesus Christ –and only jars of clay/Styrofoam cups have been chosen for the job!