Archive for April, 2021

Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness. Lamentations 3:22-23

“That we ought to give ourselves up to God, with regard both to things temporal and spiritual, and seek our satisfaction only in the fulfilling His will, whether He lead us by suffering or by consolation, for all would be equal to a soul truly resigned. That there needed fidelity in those drynesses, or insensibilities and irksomenesses in prayer, by which God tries our love to Him; that then was the time for us to make good and effectual acts of resignation, whereof one alone would oftentimes very much promote our spiritual advancement.”

Brother Lawrence in The Practice of the Presence of God: The Best Rule of Holy Life (London: Epworth) 3.

God provided a room with a view. Enjoy the new header photo from Hilton Garden Inn in Kauai.

I was struck by the beauty of the sunrise this morning and reminded of God’s faithfulness in a world filled with suffering and brokenness. I almost felt guilty to be experiencing rest and refreshment when the world has so much need and pain.

God reminded me to give myself to Him in resignation. Full stop.

In so doing, I may experience renewal and consolation on retreat. It also means that this respite may position me to endure suffering according to His will. Whatever He puts before me comes into view as a test of my love for Him.

And, what He has made clear to me is that the next year will be more challenging than the last.

So, in response, on this retreat I am asking for a double portion of wisdom and compassion to navigate suffering and consolation with resignation to do His will. He assured me that I could ask for more and He would supply for service because He is generous.

So, when you give yourself in resignation, don’t be like me and ask too small. I’m learning.

The Israelites did as they were told; some gathered much, some little. And when they measured it by the omer, the one who gathered much did not have too much, and the one who gathered little did not have too little. Everyone had gathered just as much as they needed. Then Moses said to them, “No one is to keep any of it until morning.” However, some of them paid no attention to Moses; they kept part of it until morning, but it was full of maggots and began to smell. So Moses was angry with them. Exodus 16:17-20

“Earthly goods are given to be used, not to be collected. In the wilderness God gave Israel the manna every day, and they had no need to worry about food and drink. Indeed, if they kept any of the manna over until the next day, it went bad. In the same way, the disciple must receive his portion from God every day. If he stores it up as a permanent possession, he spoils not only the gift, but himself as well, for he sets his heart on accumulated wealth, and makes it a barrier between himself and God. Where our treasure is, there is our trust, our security, our consolation and our God. Hoarding is idolatry.”

Dietrich Bonhoeffer in Cost of Discipleship (New York: Macmillan, 1979) 194.

It is challenging to minister in the generosity space in America, because it is a society known worldwide for boasting that accumulated wealth is good stewardship. It’s actually cancerous behavior because it creates a barrier to God and, later, eternal regret.

Imagine meeting the Lord and explaining your hoarding. But I had to save for a rainy day, Lord. At that moment, you reveal your trust was in yourself rather than in God. Instead, He wants you to trust Him to give you what you need when you need it in the only moment you ever serve as a steward: today.

But I had to save for retirement. If you want my comments on that, I have one-page white paper I can send you. The short answer is that retirement is a modern concept and not a biblical one. Anyone who stops working and relies on accumulated wealth is, in the words of Jesus, a rich fool.

If that comment offended you, it’s not my words but the truth that hurts. Hoarding manna did not work in the wilderness and accumulating wealth will only hurt you today. It hurts because it reveals both disobedience and misplaced trust.

Hear me. I don’t want this post to come across as harsh judgment but as gracious warning. Bonhoeffer realized the cost of discipleship, but I think few people in modern times do. For most people, cultural patterns trump obedience to Jesus. Is that you? 

Obedience does not mean we won’t have fun, and it is the only pathway to life.

I am taking a long-awaiting, much needed holiday with my wife, Jenni, to celebrate that we launched both kids. Sammy got married in October 2019 and Sophie in January 2020. We planned to visit Hawaii on points and miles in April-May 2020.

Thanks to COVID the trip was delayed a year. It’s actually our first 10-day trip together since our honeymoon nearly 29 years ago. We are doing it not from accumulated wealth but from points, miles, and God’s gracious provision in real-time, because He is good.

We place our trust, security, and consolation in God whose goodness is unfathomable, whose provision is abundant, and whose instructions are clear. He says not to hoard. It’s idolatry. It separates us from Him and shows our misplaced trust.

That’s where generosity comes it. While we are on this earth, so that the one that has much does not have to much and the one that has too little does not have too little, we get to share generously.

Those who cling to worthless idols turn away from God’s love for them. Jonah 2:8

“The purpose in idolatry is always the same. It is to displace God, to replace Him by gods of our own liking and, insofar as they are substitutes, to control them. We thus seek to become God through our gods.”

David F. Wells God the Evangelist: How the Holy Spirit Works to Bring Men and Women to Faith (Authentic, 2000) 20.

Special thanks to my friend and brother, Michael Blue, for sharing some quotes from this book with me yesterday. Good stuff.

This one shed light on our fleshly pattern. We pursue pleasures, power, and possessions and try to find life in them.

And the one thing we need to control these idols is money. That’s why the desire for money is the root of all kinds of evil.

So what does this have to do with generosity?

The only way to avoid seeking to become God through our gods is to diffuse the power money has over us is by giving it away.

The best part about letting go of worthless idols is that it frees our hands grasp God’s matchless love for us.

If anyone is poor among your fellow Israelites in any of the towns of the land the Lord your God is giving you, do not be hardhearted or tightfisted toward them. Rather, be openhanded and freely lend them whatever they need. Deuteronomy 15:7-8

“The requirement of generosity toward the poor. The attitude of the Israelites toward the poor in their community was to be one of warmth and generosity. The humanitarian spirit of the address comes clearly to the forefront in these verses, for the requirement of generosity extends beyond the letter of the law and points to a proper attitude which was to characterize the people’s dealings with the poor. Note, however, that it is not charity, in the sense of almsgiving, that is advocated here; it is a charitable attitude to be expressed by lending the poor man whatever he needs.”

Peter C. Craigie in The Book of Deuteronomy (NICOT; Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1976) 237.

Special thanks to Daily Meditations reader, Edward Spencer, for alerting me to read this text from Deuteronomy coming out of my study of the Good Samaritan.

If you want to check out my sermon on Luke 10:25-37, click to view it.

Requirement is a strong word, but it is fitting. God expects His people in the Old Testament and Christians in the New Testament to have a charitable attitude toward those in need.

How do we cultivate a charitable attitude to fulfill such a requirement? It starts with realizing all we have came to us by charis or grace. Once that sinks to our heart, it can sync with our hands and feet.

Reflect on God’s blessings to you today. Then consider how you may bless others.

I get to serve a group of leading U.S. seminary administrators today, hearing their challenges, discussing their situations and sharing insights from research.

What do you sense God has in store for you? Serving others generously is not optional. It’s why Jesus redeemed us as a people for Himself and empowers us by the Holy Spirit.

But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, brought him to an inn and took care of him. The next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper. ‘Look after him,’ he said, ‘and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.’ Luke 10:33-35

“The hero of the story comes as a surprise. Luke’s choice of word order places emphasis on the word “Samaritan.” A hated Samaritan–of all people!–“saw” exactly what the priest and the Levite had seen, but he responded with compassion. Whereas the other two travelers passed by the other side of the road, the Samaritan “came to him.” Moreover the Lord describes the Samaritan’s care as tender, conscientious, thorough, and sacrificial. He gave the best care of the day, washing the wounds in wine to ward off infection, bathing the raw flesh in soothing olive oil, and bandaging the injuries to protect them. He took the bruised man to safety and cared for him until morning. He even left the innkeeper two days’ wages, charging him to care for the injured man, promising to return and cover any additonal expenses. His grace toward the unknown victim was extraordinary!”

Charles R. Swindoll in Swindoll’s Living Insights: New Testament Commentary on Luke (Carol Stream: Tyndale, 2017) 304.

Let’s surprise people with our generosity in extraordinary ways.

In my message to the church in Malaysia I emphasized from this part of the parable that we must “give a hand up in community” and people really resonated with that idea in discussions afterwards.

Think about it for a few minutes. He did not give the guy a handout which creates dependencies. He gave him a hand up which builds disciples. And he did not do this alone. He engaged others in the process.

When get people like the innkeeper involved in caring for the needy, we invite them to experience the blessing and to minister generously in a manner that is “tender, conscientious, thorough, and sacrificial.”

Surprise everyone with such extraordinary generosity!

“Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?” The expert in the law replied, “The one who had mercy on him.” Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise.” Luke 10:36-37

“The lawyer does not expect the conclusion to which the parable leads him; the fact that he cannot bring himself to say “the Samaritan” in answer to Jesus’ question may betray his difficulty in accepting the full ramifications of the parable. But if he won’t acknowledge the neighbor, he at least acknowledges neighborliness, “to show mercy.” Anyone who goes and does likewise fulfills the heart of the parable.”

James R. Edwards in The Gospel according to Luke (PNTC; Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2015) 324.

The morning after preaching on this text, my prayer is that listeners grasped the “ramifications” of the parable.

Loving God and loving our neighbor starts with the realization that we are the least likely dispensers of grace and kindness, and even as we have been blessed in that relationship with God, we get to show mercy to the least deserving people. Ponder that, then go and do like the Samaritan. Exhibit neighborliness whether you are a priest, a Levite, or a Samaritan, and rally others to join you like he engaged the innkeeper.

If you want a copy of my slide deck or want to listen to the recording of the message, let me know.

In reply Jesus said: “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he was attacked by robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead.” Luke 10:30

“He was obviously a reckless and foolhardy character. People seldom attempted the Jerusalem to Jericho road alone if they were carrying goods or valuables. Seeking safety in numbers, they travelled in convoys or caravans. This man found no one but himself to blame for the plight in which he found himself.”

William Barclay in The Gospel of Luke, Revised Edition (DSBS; Philadelphia: Westminster, 1975) 139.

The more we dig into this parable the more we learn.

Not only have we sugarcoated the Samaritan labeling him good, when in antiquity, he would have been considered bad, we miss the character of the traveler because we don’t know much about the road he was navigating.

It’s almost if Jesus is saying “A guy made a stupid decision and it resulted in his demise.”

What would this stir in his listeners? If we put ourselves in their shoes, it stirs notions like, “The guy got what he deserved.” Or we might reason, “It serves him right to be in that plight, because he made a crazy choice.”

This adds to the lesson for all of us about generosity.

Got wants us to make margin to help people who make stupid decisions. Think about that in light of what Jesus did for you and me. No wonder He wants us to stop and help such people. It is precisely the help He gave to us.

He answered, “The one who showed compassion and mercy to him.” Then Jesus said to him, “Go and constantly do the same.” Luke 10:37

“We may read this passage and think only of the “high cost of caring,” but it is far more costly not to care. The priest and the Levite lost far more by their neglect than the Samaritan did by his concern. They lost the opportunity to become better men and good stewards of what God had given them. They could have been a good influence in a bad world, but they chose to be a bad influence. The Samaritan’s one deed of mercy has inspired sacrificial ministry all over the world.

Never say that such ministry is wasted. God sees to it that no act of loving service in Christ’s name is ever lost. It depends on your outlook. To the thieves, this traveling Jew was a victim to exploit, so they attacked him. To the priest and Levite, he was a nuisance to avoid, so they ignored him. But to the Samaritan, he was a neighbor to love and help, so he took care of him. What Jesus said to the lawyer, He says to us. “God and keep on doing it likewise” (literal translation).”

Warren W. Wiersbe in Be Compassionate (Luke 1-13): Let the World Know That Jesus Cares (The BE Series Commentary; Colorado Springs: David C. Cook, 1988) 138.

This powerful exposition reminds me afresh that crisis situatons are opportunities for us to grow as stewards. But it all depends on our outlook.

If I see them as opportunities, I will go and keep on doing it likewise. If I see them as nuisances, I will go and keep on avoiding such situations.

The highest cost of caring is not to care. The worst possible influence is not to love and help. The time for us to act is now. But that depends on our outlook.

What will your outlook be?

In reply Jesus said: “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he was attacked by robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. Luke 10:30-33

“The original impact of the parable of the good Samaritan is generally lost today. After centuries of good biblical public relations, our understanding of a Samaritan as a positive figure is almost a cultural given. But in the original setting, to a Jewish scribe a Samaritan would have been the exact opposite, a notorious “bad guy” and traitor. That’s an important emotive element to remember as we proceed through this parable.”

Darrell L Bock in Luke (IVPNTC; Downer’s Grove: IVP, 1994) 197.

As we look more closely at this parable, Bock helps us realize that the Samaritan would have been the last person to have pity and show care in the first century Jewish context.

He was a “bad guy” in that setting. But for Jesus, even a bad guy can find a good place in God’s story. That means there is hope for all of us.

Why must we remember this as we read this text (and as I prepare for my sermon)? Jesus cares not what status we hold in society, like priest or Levite.

He cares not what we say we believe or what accolades that people have given us.He wants us to act when there is a need regardless of what others are doing.

The Samaritan has been labeled by us “good” for about 2,000 years because he acted. How will you be labeled based on your actions?

But a Samaritan who was on a journey came upon him; and when he saw him, he felt compassion. Luke 10:33

“The Samaritan, “who took pity on the man who had fallen among thieves,” is truly a “guardian,” and a closer neighbor than the Law and the Prophets. He showed that he was the man’s neighbor more by deed than by word. According to the passage that says, “Be imitators of me as I too am of Christ,” it is possible for us to imitate Christ and to pity those who “have fallen among thieves.” We can go to them, bind their wounds, pour in oil and wine, put them on our own animals, and bear their burdens. The Son of God encourages us to do things like this. He is speaking not so much to the teacher of the law as to us and to everyone when he says, “Go and do likewise.””

Origen of Alexandria in Homilies on the Gospel of Luke 34.3 (ACCS NT3; Downers Grove: IVP, 2003) 180.

As I think about the Good Samaritan this week, Origen gives us a powerful word picture with the term ‘guardian’ to describe the love and care for neighbor that God desires from us.

If I say ‘guardian’ in my context, thoughts go to someone serving as a legal guardian to look after another person. That’s precisely what Jesus wants to see. Think about it.

He wants us to serve as loving guardians who take responsibility to care for the needy. This includes people who by cultural distinctions may be different from us in ethnicity, social class, or economic status.

God sees all of us the same. We as humans are to have pity or compassion on the broken and hurting around us. We should aid them not by giving a handout but a hand up.

Know anyone who has fallen among thieves in need of your care?