Jeremy Burroughs: School

Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” Hebrews 13:5

“A lesson which Christ teaches a Christian when he comes into His school is this: He teaches him to understand what is the one thing that is necessary, which he never understood before. You know what he said to Martha: ‘O Martha thou cumberest thyself about many things, but there is one thing necessary.’

Before, the soul sought after this and that, but now it says, I see that it is not necessary for me to be rich, but it is necessary for me to make my peace with God; it s not necessary that I should live a pleasurable life in this world, but it is absolutely necessary that I should have pardon of my sin; it is not necessary that I should have honor and preferment, but it is necessary that I should have God as my portion, and have my part in Jesus Christ, it is necessary that my soul should be saved in the day of Jesus Christ.

The other things are pretty fine indeed, and I should be glad if God would give me them, a fine house, and income, and clothes, and advancement for my wife and children: these are comfortable things, but they are not the necessary things; I may have these and yet perish for ever, but the other is absolutely necessary. No matter how poor I am, I may have what is absolutely necessary: thus Christ instructs the soul.

Many of you have had some thoughts about this, that it is indeed necessary for you to provide for your souls, but when you come to Christ’s school, Christ causes the fear of eternity to fall upon you, and causes such a real sight of the great things of eternity, and the absolute necessity of those things, that it possesses your heart with fear and takes you off from all other things in the world.”

Jeremiah Burroughs (1600-1646) in The Rare Jewel Of Christian Contentment (Preach the Word) 55.

Today we pivot to the Puritan era. This classic work is a rare jewel for sure. I will explore it over the next week to see what is necessary and needful for living, giving, serving, and loving generously like Jesus.

Burroughs beckons us to go to school with Jesus to learn how to live. The world tells us to value a pleasurable life with a fine house, incomes, clothes, and other comfortable things. Jesus wants more for us.

We learn to value things in light of eternity when we go to school with Jesus. We learn contentment only by understanding that in Christ we have everything we have ever needed and will ever need.

In this light, knowing Christ comes into view as the one thing, the only thing, that is needful, in order to learn contentment. Knowing Christ is also the only pathway for living a life of Christian generosity.

The Father in Heaven resources our generosity. The Spirit empowers our generosity. And Jesus teaches shows the way, leading by example, modeling simplicity, humility, and generosity.

Let’s see what we can learn this week! Start by pondering the truth that when we have Jesus, we have everything we have ever needed, everything we need, and everything we will ever need for the rest of our lives.

I looked for someone among them who would build up the wall and stand before me in the gap on behalf of the land so I would not have to destroy it, but I found no one. Ezekiel 22:30

“The present generation is seriously corrupt and all full of pride and hypocrisy. In bodily labors it perhaps reaches the level of our ancient fathers, but it is not graced with their gifts, though I think nature never had such need of spiritual gifts as now. And we have got what we deserve. For God is manifested not in labors but in simplicity and humility. And if the power of the Lord is made perfect in weakness, the Lord will certainly not reject a humble worker.”

John Climacus (6th century monk) in The Ladder of Divine Ascent, translated by Archimandrite Lazarus Moore (Harper & Brothers, 1959) 94.

Today represents the seventh and final post at this time from John Climacus. We will pivot to exploring what is needful in another classic from church history starting tomorrow.

Today’s Scripture from Ezekiel cites a time when God was looking for someone to stand in the gap. Then in the 6th century, we see basically the same message. I think the same is true today.

In every generation, God looks for people who will stand in the gap. He seeks people willing to rebuild what is broken down. Can He count on you for such a time as this?

Climacus describes the needful traits in such people: simplicity and humility. And I would add generosity. Let us pray for and endeavor to be such people for our day for rebuilding what is broken around us.

Join me. Let us pursue the path of simplicity, humility, and generosity to stand in the gap for God.

But someone will say, “You have faith; I have deeds.” Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by my deeds. James 2:18

“A discerning solitary will have no need of words, because he expresses words by deeds.”

John Climacus (6th century monk) in The Ladder of Divine Ascent, translated by Archimandrite Lazarus Moore (Harper & Brothers, 1959) 111.

I have had a great week with Kingdom Capital Fund in South Dakota. Heading home to Colorado this afternoon.

Over the course of this week, I have interfaced with some really great people who have chosen to shift their focus from building wealth to building God’s kingdom.

In the words of Climacus, they are like discerning solitary people who have no need of words because they express words with deeds. But God is calling them to move to KCF 2.0.

God wants them to give more, to go deeper, to stretch to new levels of living, giving, serving, and loving. I think God wants that for all of us! What would that look like in your life?

Most people resist the stretch because they value comfort too much. Others allow fear to guide their decision making so they never Would people say that you have no need of words and that you express your faith with generous deeds?

But my life is worth nothing to me unless I use it for finishing the work assigned me by the Lord Jesus—the work of telling others the Good News about the wonderful grace of God. Acts 20:24

“Some often expressed their doubts to each other and said: ‘Are we accomplishing anything brothers? Are we obtaining our requests? Will the Lord accept us again? Will He open to us?’ And to this others would reply: ‘Who knows, as our brothers the Ninevites said, if God will repent and will deliver us even from great punishment? In any case, let us do our part. And if He opens the door, well and good. And if not, blessed is the Lord God who in His justice has closed the door to us. At least let us persist in knocking at the door till the end of our life.”

John Climacus (6th century monk) in The Ladder of Divine Ascent, translated by Archimandrite Lazarus Moore (Harper & Brothers, 1959) 31.

In today’s Scripture, the apostle Paul expresses his unswerving resolve to finishing the task God gave Him. Then in reading John Climacus, we realize that this is not easy. We wonder, “Are we accomplishing anything brothers?”

I met with some of the Founders of Kingdom Capital Fund last night for dinner. They admit they wondered that for years in the early days of the last two decades. But they persisted, sometimes asking, “Are we obtaining our requests?”

And now through the God as CEO program, they are rallying professionals in large numbers to shift from building wealth to building God’s kingdom. And Climacus adds to focus not on the results but on doing our part.

When people start to get it, KCF rallies them to give generously to ministry partners. To read the report of my training with ministry partners, click here.

Tonight I speak at a KCF 2.0 event. I appreciate your prayers for Spirit-filled speaking and receptive hearts. Participants will receive a branded copy of my KCF devotional, Finishing Well. Click here to download your free copy.

And resolve to focus not on achieving results or obtaining requests. Instead, ask yourself what finishing well looks like for you. Pursue that.

Joseph, a Levite from Cyprus, whom the apostles called Barnabas (which means “son of encouragement”), sold a field he owned and brought the money and put it at the apostles’ feet. Acts 4:36-37

“Those who have really determined to serve Christ, with the help of spiritual fathers and their own self-knowledge will strive before all else to choose a place, and a way of life, and a habitation, and exercises suitable for them. For community life is not for all, on account of greed; and not for all are places of solitude, on account of anger. But each will consider what is most suited to his needs.”

John Climacus (6th century monk) in The Ladder of Divine Ascent, translated by Archimandrite Lazarus Moore (Harper & Brothers, 1959) 5.

What a privilege to provide biblical and practical teaching in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, yesterday! Kingdom Capital Fund hosted ministry partners. We had 40 in attendance exploring the topic of “From Vision to Execution — Building the Operational Backbone” (see header photo of participants above).

KCF Board Chair (and dear friend), Steve Jankord, introduced me and urged everyone to subscribe to Daily Meditations. I shared teaching from The Choice: The Christ-Centered Pursuit of Kingdom Outcomes to give them a framework for growing ministries through faithful activities. Then I pointed them to the GTP diagnostic tool and templates to strengthen capacity.

Today, I attend the KCF board meeting as a special advisor and have dinner with the KCF Founders. See their 6-minute video here if you did not watch it yesterday. The KCF Founders are like Joseph, also known as Barnabas, the son of encouragement. In the video they rightly appear as ordinary Joes who have chosen an extraordinary way of life together.

They have all agreed to shift from building wealth (greed as Climacus put) to building the kingdom (generosity as the KCF Founders put it). I am advising them regarding ways to grow deeper in this way of life and how to share it more widely with others. And Climacus would add that it is needful not to pressure anyone to this way of life but to invite them to consider it.

And what about you? Want to join the community of people committed to living, giving, serving, and loving generously? In June 2026, the Generosity Monk team plans to release a new website and social and video channels to reach the world. One invitation will be to adopt the Generosity Monk rule of life. Stay tuned to see what it is.

For now, ask God to help you be like Joseph who released assets, not just income, to build the kingdom. And if you need help with that, reply to this email. I can assist you. Once you adopt this way of life you will see God will entrust you with more resources to steward. You won’t end up empty but rather enriched for greater generosity.

And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Hebrews 10:24

“I saw among these holy fathers things that were truly profitable and admirable. I saw a brotherhood gathered and united in the Lord, with a wonderful active and contemplative life. For they were so occupied with divine thoughts and they exercised themselves so much in good deeds that there was scarcely any need for the superior to remind them of anything, but of their own good will they aroused one another to divine vigilance.”

John Climacus (6th century monk) in The Ladder of Divine Ascent, translated by Archimandrite Lazarus Moore (Harper & Brothers, 1959) 13.

There’s something that happens when we journey spiritually together with others. It creates a brotherhood and sisterhood of people united in the Lord and committed to divine thoughts.

When we think about what God desires for us it inspires us to do good deeds. This happens not because some external superior dictates it. This service flows from internal commitment with divine vigilance.

I pray this for the larger community of Daily Meditations readers. That God will make us into a global community committed to contemplative living and contagious giving.

Yesterday I invited you to contribute to the rebuilding of the Generosity Monk website and establishment of video and social media channels to spread the reach of generosity resources worldwide, but I failed to give you the link. Click here.

Today I do a workshop for about 50 ministry workers called “From Vision to Execution — Building the Operational Backbone” with a focus on turning mission and strategy into repeatable, healthy operations.

Kingdom Capital Fund is hosting it and I will integrate themes from my book, The Choice: The Christ-Centered Pursuit of Kingdom Outcomes. I appreciate your prayers for Spirit-filled facilitation and receptive hearts.

Kingdom Capital Fund was formed by a group of founders that shifted from building wealth to building God’s kingdom. They are like the “holy fathers” in today’s post. Watch an awesome 6-minute video about them here.

Jesus replied, “No one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God.” Luke 9:62

“It is a great disgrace for us to worry about anything that cannot help us in the hour of our need—that is to say, the hour of our death. For as the Lord said, this means looking back and not being fit for the Kingdom of Heaven. Knowing how fickle we novices are and how easily we turn to the world through visiting, or being with, worldly people, when someone said to Him: ‘Suffer me first to go and bury my father,’ our Lord replied, ‘Leave the dead to bury their own dead.’”

John Climacus (6th century monk) in The Ladder of Divine Ascent, translated by Archimandrite Lazarus Moore (Harper & Brothers, 1959) 5.

On step 2 of 30, Climacus calls us to detach from the things of this world. These are the things we think are needful to us but they are not needful to us.

Few do this better than my wife Jenni. Happy Mother’s Day Jenni. Thanks for using and enjoying things of this world but not attaching to them so that your heart is attached fully to God.

All of us do well to not worry about anything that cannot help us in our hour of need, namely our hour of death. Of course the first thing that comes to mind for most people is money.

We think we need money so we cling to it on earth. And God wants us to store it up in heaven through giving because it cannot help us at our hour of death and we cannot take it with us either.

But we are fickle like the novices the monks who have just started their spiritual journey. We have spend time in the world and we become worldly. Don’t let that be you.

The best way to learn detachment is to practice the discipline of giving. Give to something new or help something that wants to happen around you. Or make a gift to Generosity Monk.

Why? In the next month, I will introduce the Generosity Monk team and updated website and social channels. Click here to make a one-time or monthly tax-deductible gift for spreading Daily Mediations to the world.

And I appreciate your prayers for me this week. I fly to Sioux Falls, South Dakota tonight. I will see dear friends Greg Henson, Peter Goehring, Steve Jankord, and others, and speak and participate in series of events serving Kingdom Capital Fund.

So now, go. I am sending you to Pharaoh to bring my people the Israelites out of Egypt.” But Moses said to God, “Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?” And God said, “I will be with you. And this will be the sign to you that it is I who have sent you: When you have brought the people out of Egypt, you[b] will worship God on this mountain.” Exodus 3:10-12

“Those who have surrendered themselves to God, deceive themselves if they suppose that they have no need of a director. Those who came out of Egypt had Moses as their guide, and those who fled from Sodom had an angel. The former are like those who are healed of the passions of the soul by the care of physicians: these are they who come out of Egypt. The latter are like those who long to put off the uncleanness of the wretched body. That is why they need a helper, an angel, so to speak, or at least one equal to an angel. For in proportion to the corruption of our wounds we need a director who is indeed an expert and a physician.”

John Climacus (6th century monk) in The Ladder of Divine Ascent, translated by Archimandrite Lazarus Moore (Harper & Brothers, 1959) 2.

The Ladder of Divine Ascent is a 30-step guide to monastic maturity. The 30 steps mirror the 30 years Christ spent in preparation. This serves as a template for a Christian’s journey toward maturity.

It outlines a spiritual journey from earthly detachment to divine love, emphasizing obedience, humility, and battling vices like anger, greed, and gluttony.

This week we will look at what John Climacus might say is needful for our own maturity and growth in generosity. On step 1 of 30 in his classic work, we learn that we need a guide.

That’s the role I feel God leading me to play in writing these daily meditations for nearly 17 years. I serve as your guide, like Moses, not because I know it all, but because God has called me to do it.

This also explains why I repeatedly invite you to surrender yourself to God. To pray the Surrender Novena daily: “Jesus I surrender myself to you, take care of everything.”

Why? The posture of surrender positions us for generous living, giving, serving, and loving, as Christ’s power and provision flows through us. If this seems hard, don’t fear.

Let me serve as your guide. Read these meditations daily. And stay tuned for an updated website to share widely with others.

As you do not know the path of the wind, or how the body is formed in a mother’s womb, so you cannot understand the work of God, the Maker of all things. Ecclesiastes 11:5

“But if we are to love our neighbors as we ought, we must have regard to God also: for it is only in God that we can pay that debt of love aright. Now a man cannot love his neighbor in God, except he love God Himself; wherefore we must love God first, in order to love our neighbors in Him. This too, like all good things, is the Lord’s doing, that we should love Him, for He hath endowed us with the possibility of love. He who created nature sustains it; nature is so constituted that its Maker is its protector for ever.”

Bernard of Clairvaux (1090-1153) in On Loving God (Grand Rapids: CCEL), p. 20.

Today is my last in a recent series of posts from this classic work by Bernard.

In our Scripture reading, Solomon describes the mystery of how God creates and sustains everything by reminding us that we cannot fathom or comprehend the work of God, the Maker of all things.

And Bernard adds that we cannot even love apart from God. Only in Him is the possibility of love.

Think about that. Apart from God, we cannot even love our neighbor. Only from our Maker we learn how to live, give, serve, and love generously. Try this. Go outside and go for a walk. Do it.

Notice how God loves and generously cares for His creation. Then consider the implications for your life. How can you learn from Him how to love your neighbor and live generously?

Great is the Lord and most worthy of praise; His greatness no one can fathom. One generation commends Your works to another; they tell of Your mighty acts. They speak of the glorious splendor of Your majesty—and I will meditate on Your wonderful works. They tell of the power of Your awesome works—and I will proclaim Your great deeds. They celebrate Your abundant goodness and joyfully sing of Your righteousness. The Lord is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and rich in love. The Lord is good to all; He has compassion on all He has made. Psalm 145:3-9

“Righteousness is the natural and essential food of the soul, which can no more be satisfied by earthly treasures than the hunger of the body can be satisfied by air. If you should see a starving man standing with mouth open to the wind, inhaling draughts of air as if in hope of gratifying his hunger, you would think him lunatic. But it is no less foolish to imagine that the soul can be satisfied with worldly things which only inflate it without feeding it. What have spiritual gifts to do with carnal appetites, or carnal with spiritual? Praise the Lord, O my soul: who satisfieth thy mouth with good things. He bestows bounty immeasurable; He provokes thee to good, He preserves thee in goodness; He prevents, He sustains, He fills thee. He moves thee to longing, and it is He for whom thou longest.”

Bernard of Clairvaux (1090-1153) in On Loving God (Grand Rapids: CCEL), p. 17.

The Psalmist celebrates the righteousness of God. The righteousness of God is not abstract moral perfection disconnected from everyday living.

Righteousness is living in right relationship with God and others. But we act, as Bernard says, as lunatic. We think worldly things can satisfy our souls.

So God graciously provokes, preserves, and prevents. He sustains, fills, and moves, hoping we will come to the place of realizing that only He can satisfy our souls.

I think a leading hindrance to generous living, giving, serving, and loving is the lunatic lure of the world. We say yes to so many things that don’t satisfy.

If that is you, fast from whatever worldly things seek to master you. Don’t take my word for it. It comes from apostle Paul in his letter to the church in the crazy city of Corinth.

“I have the right to do anything,” you say—but not everything is beneficial. “I have the right to do anything”—but I will not be mastered by anything. 1 Corinthians 6:12