Archive for September, 2011

“[Christian leaders] also should be compassionate, merciful to all, turning back those who have gone astray, caring for all who are sick, not neglecting the widow, the orphan, or the poor, but always taking thought for what is good before both God and others, abstaining from all anger, prejudice, and unfair judgment, avoiding all love of money, not quick to believe a rumor against anyone, not severe in judgment knowing that we are all in debt because of sin.”

Polycarp (69-155) Bishop of Smyrna in To The Philippians 6.1. LCL 341.

Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me and for the gospel will save it. Mark 8:34-35

“When the Lord tells us in the Gospel that anyone who wants to be a follower must renounce himself, the injunction seems harsh; we think he is imposing a burden on us. But an order is no burden when it is given by one who helps in carrying it out.”

Caesarius of Arles (470-543) in Sermon 159.1.4. ACCS.M.113.

“Joyful and cheerful is the one who attends to the poor. Quite clearly he is joyful, because for a few small coins he acquires heavenly treasures for himself; on the contrary, the person who pays taxes is always sad and dejected. Rightly is he sad who is not drawn to payment by love but forced by fear. Christ’s debtor, then, is joyful, and Caesar’s is sad, because love urges one the payment, and punishment constrains the other; the one is invited by rewards, the other compelled by penalties.”

Maximus of Turin (c. 380-465) in Sermon 71 on Fasting and Almsgiving. ACW 50:175. ACCS1.2C.276-77.

“Let us not simply have the recipient in view in showing generosity…but consider who it is who takes as his the kindnesses shown to the poor person and who promises recompense for favors done; and thus let us direct our attention to him while showing all zeal in making offerings with complete enthusiasm…”

The King will reply, ‘Truly, I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me. Matthew 25:40

John Chrysostom (349-407) in Homilies on Genesis 34.8. FC 82:294. ACCS1.2C.276.

I do not mean that others should be eased and you burdened, but that as a matter of equality your abundance at the present time should supply their want, so that their abundance may supply your want, that there may be equality. As it is written, “He who gathered much had nothing over, and he who gathered little had no lack.” 2 Corinthians 8:13-15

“It is true that giving should not cause a hardship to the givers. But at the same time, a person ought not to keep more than he needs for himself.”

Ambrosiaster (commentary dated c. 366-384) in Commentary on the Paul’s Epistles. CSEL 81.3:260. ACCS1.2C.271.

“Christians who look like the world, can’t change it.”

BUMP stands for Bridging Urban Ministry Project of the Evangelical Free Church of America. I pulled this profound quote from this BUMP article. It resonated with students and struck me too!

To read the article, visit: http://www.efca.org/reachnational/compassion-and-justice/bump-bridging-urban-mission-project/one-god-and-father-all

We want you to know, brethren, about the grace of God which has been shown in the churches of Macedonia, for in a severe test of affliction, their abundance of joy and their extreme poverty have overflowed in rich generosity. For they gave according to their means, as I can testify, and beyond their means, of their own free will. Begging us earnestly for the favor of taking part in the relief of the saints. 2 Corinthians 8:1-4

“By “the grace of God” Paul…is not excluding the role of free will by saying this but teaching that every good work is made possible by the help of God.”

Theodoret of Cyr (c. 393-458) in Commentary on the Second Epistle to the Corinthians, 327. PG 82:422. ACCS1.2C.266.

“We should remain within the limits imposed by our basic needs and strive with all our power not to exceed them. For once we are carried a little beyond these limits in our desire for the pleasures of life, there is then no criterion by which we check our onward movement, since no bounds can be set to that which exceeds the necessary.”

But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. 1 Timothy 6:8

Nilus of Ancrya (5th century) in Common Prayer: A Liturgy for Ordinary Radicals (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2010) 519.

“If, then, we keep in reserve any earthly possessions or perishable wealth, the mind sinks down as into mire and the soul inevitably becomes blind to God and insensible to the desire for the beauties of heaven and the good things laid up for us by promise…

These we cannot gain possession of unless a strong and single-minded desire leads us to ask for them and lightens the labor of their attainment. This, then, is renunciation, as our discourse defines it: the severance of the bonds of this material and transient life and freedom from human concerns whereby we render ourselves more fit to set out upon the road leading to God. It is the unhindered impulse toward the possession and enjoyment of inestimable goods…

In short, it is the transference of the human heart to a heavenly mode of life…Also–and this is the chief point–it is the first step toward the likeness of Christ, who being rich, became poor for our sake. Unless we attain to this likeness, it is impossible for us to achieve a way of life in accord with the gospel of Christ. How, indeed, can we gain either contrition of heart or humility of mind or deliverance from anger, pain, anxieties–in a word, from all the destructive movements of the soul–if we are entangled in the riches and cares of a worldly life and cling to others by affection and association?”

Basil the Great (330-379) in The Long Rules 8 ACCS 1.2C.270.

“Since we have all these things from him, we ought to thank him in every way. To him be the glory forever and ever. Amen.” 1 Clement 38.4.

Clement, Bishop of Rome (c. 100), lived out this message. He ministered faithfully until he was martyred by being tied to an anchor and thrown into the sea. Despite the persecution of Christians under Trajan, the Early Church continued to grow.