Ignatius, Bishop of Antioch, while under Roman guard in Smyrna en route to Rome for his martyrdom during the reign of Trajan (AD 98-117), was visited by Polybius, Bishop of Tralles of Asia. Polybius generously ministered to Ignatius by sharing resources from the church. In response, Ignatius (c. AD 105-115) wrote To The Trallians, and today’s post comes from the introduction and section 9 (translation by Roberts-Donaldson).
“Ignatius, who is also called Theophorus, to the holy church which is at Tralles, in Asia, beloved of God, the Father of Jesus Christ, elect, and worthy of God, possessing peace through the flesh, and blood, and passion of Jesus Christ, who is our hope, through our rising again to Him, which also I salute in its fulness, and in the apostalical character, and wish abundance of happiness…
Stop your ears, therefore, when any one speaks to you at variance with Jesus Christ, who was descended from David, and was also of Mary; who was truly born, and did eat and drink. He was truly persecuted under Pontius Pilate; He was truly crucified, and [truly] died, in the sight of beings in heaven, and on earth, and under the earth. He was also truly raised from the dead, His Father quickening Him, even as after the same manner His Father will so raise up us who believe in Him by Christ Jesus, apart from whom we do not possess the true life.”
Notice the emphasis of Ignatius, also known as Theophorus, “the God-bearer” who desires an “abundance of happiness” for the Trallians. He uses the term “true” or “truly” six times in one paragraph coupled with instructions to “stop your ears” to any teaching “at variance with Jesus Christ” because in Him they possess “the true life.” His words sound similar the exhortation of Paul to Timothy to make sure teaching syncs with the “sound instruction of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
These are the things you are to teach and insist on. If anyone teaches otherwise and does not agree to the sound instruction of our Lord Jesus Christ and to godly teaching, they are conceited and understand nothing. They have an unhealthy interest in controversies and quarrels about words that result in envy, strife, malicious talk, evil suspicions and constant friction between people of corrupt mind, who have been robbed of the truth and who think that godliness is a means to financial gain. But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs. 1 Timothy 6:2b-10
As I continue exploring the theme of “abundance” through church history (starting with the writings of the early church) in the 40 days between Christ’s resurrection and ascension, you may ask the question: What’s this excerpt from Ignatius To The Trallians got to do with generosity, especially in modern times?
Everything! We must intentionally “stop our ears” to the world’s way of thinking lest we get caught up in controversies and end up conforming to the culture and adopting a worldly view on money. Sadly, statistics show many followers of Christ today spend, save, and give like the world instead of following the pattern outlined in the Word.
We must be honest with ourselves about money matters. Does our spending reflect our faith in Jesus Christ? That’s a challenge for all of us. Jenni and I have a rule not to spend over $100 without talking to each other so that our spending stays both on budget and remains in line with our faith.
Are our treasures saved up on earth or in heaven? We missed this one for years. We followed the cultural rule that says to store up them up here. The Christian version of this justifies disobedience as acceptable by committing to serve God with the money, however, when we store up money on earth our heart (and trust) shifts from God to the money we have stored up!
Does our giving reflect Christ’s giving? The culture tells us to give to those that it deems “deserving” of aid, whereas, Christ extended grace and mercy to all of us when we were undeserving. Jenni and I have found that reading through the red letters of Matthew, Mark, Luke, or John regularly helps us avoid patterns of giving that are at variance with Jesus Christ.
With Ignatius, I wish all meditations readers an “abundance of happiness” and with him I believe it’s only found when we “stop our ears” from all that is “at variance with Jesus Christ.” Instead the Apostle Paul instructed Timothy to command those with more than enough to enjoy and share all God richly supplies, like the Trallians did with Ignatius, for when we do, we grasp “true life” (1 Timothy 6:17-19).