Anyone who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with their own hands, that they may have something to share with those in need. Ephesians 4:28
“A vain man’s motto is: Win gold and wear it. A generous man’s: Win gold and share it. A miser’s: Win gold and spare it. A profligate’s: Win gold and spend it. A broker’s: Win gold and lend it. A fool’s: Win gold and end it. A gambler’s: Win gold and lose it. A wise man’s: Win gold and use it.”
William Wotton in Day’s Collacon, compiled and arranged by Edward Parsons Day (New York: IPPO, 1884) 330.
I am departing from Prague shortly. I’ve learned a lot on this trip. Also how mottos or ways of thinking shape societies.
For example, I learned this one this trip. “Under Communism: What’s yours is mine. And with Christianity: what’s mine is yours.”
One young man also told me that the system taught them to steal which is why generosity with accountability is so hard.
He said, Gary, in our home growing up we said, “If we do not steal from the government, we steal from our family.”
At the European Great Commission Collaboration Summit 92 people from 11 countries came together to proclaim a new motto.
Together we want to encourage collaborative generosity and accelerate ministry sustainability. If that sounds to deep, let me say it this way.
We want to try to multiply faithful people and shape the future of culture by not being overcome by the brokenness but by overcoming it with good as the collective Church.
Just like Paul had to teach the Ephesians, this generation wants to write a new story about gold that glorifies God.