Our people must learn to devote themselves to doing what is good, in order to provide for urgent needs and not live unproductive lives. Titus 3:14
“The spirit of Elijah rested finally on Elisha. He also begged of him that he might immediately receive from him a double blessing like the one which (later) the Lord gave to his advanced disciples, saying, “He that believes on me will also do the works that I do, and will do greater works than these.” But such grace is granted only to those who fulfill the commandments of the Master.”
“Pseudo-Titus” reported by Bart Ehrman in Lost Scriptures: Books That Did Not Make It Into The New Testament (New York: Oxford University Press, 2003) 245.
The Letter now known as “Pseudo-Titus” was unknown until discovered late in the nineteenth century in a very badly translated Latin manuscript produced some time in the eighth century, probably from a Greek original.
In Paul’s letter to Titus he told him that God’s people needed to learn to devote themselves to doing what is good so that they would provide for needs and live productive lives.
In this letter attributed to Titus, we see an echo of this. God gives us grace to do good works only as we learn to follow and fulfill the commandments of our Master Jesus.
I find it interesting that most so-called Christians assess the depth of their faith based on their works (they go to church, they give a percentage, and more) rather than dying to self and doing the radical things Jesus said to do.
For example, most people call it good stewardship to store up treasures on earth. Jesus explicitly says not to do that and urges us to store them up in heaven. When we do, we take hold of life.
Right now, GTP is scaling, and we are praying for God to move people to store up treasures in heaven through giving and release $1,000,000 to help us respond to the unanticipated global demand for our programs over years 6-10.
People are crying for help right now in places like Antigua & Barbuda, Armenia, Bangladesh, Barbados, Brazil, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, India, Ireland, Japan, Malaysia, Nepal, Pakistan, Panama, and Trinidad & Tobago.
Church and ministry workers want help setting standards so they can learn to exhibit accountability and so people will trust them and grow in their generosity and good works.
Would you pray with me that God will release these funds through faithful and willing servants who choose to obey the Master and store up treasure in heaven? I believe it will happen by the grace of God.
As Paul put it to Titus and as Titus relayed it to us, may God help us learn to devote ourselves to doing good, learn to provide for urgent needs, and learn to live productive lives.